Switzerland's Consumer Prices Climb Slightly to 0.2% in July

Switzerland experienced a modest uptick in consumer prices for the second consecutive month in July, according to data released by the Federal Statistical Office on Monday. The consumer price index increased by 0.2% compared to the previous year, following a 0.1% rise in June. Economists had anticipated a stable growth rate of around 0.1%. In July, prices for housing and energy grew by 1.0% annually, while expenses for hotels and dining out increased by 1.6%. Conversely, costs for food and non-alcoholic beverages declined by 0.6%, and transportation costs decreased by 2.4%. When excluding volatile items like food and energy, core inflation advanced from 0.6% to 0.8%. On a monthly basis, consumer prices remained unchanged in July, compared to a 0.2% rise in June.