Romanian Inflation Eases With New Shock Looming From Iran War

olmgz18akjp)f9)h[ae)32bx_media_dl_1.png National Bank of Romania, statisArticle content(Bloomberg) — Romanian inflation slowed as expected but surging global energy prices threaten to reverse the trend and prevent the central bank from easing monetary policy anytime soon. Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentConsumer prices rose 9.3% from a year earlier in February, compared with 9.6% in the previous month, the statistics office in Bucharest said Friday. The reading was in line with the median estimate in a Bloomberg survey. Prices advanced 0.6% from the previous month. Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article contentArticle contentRomania’s central bank has held the benchmark rate at 6.5% — the highest in the European Union — for more than a year and a half as an anchor during financial market turmoil and a spike in inflation. With the economy now in recession and soaring oil prices set to push fuel costs higher, the outlook for potential rate cuts has become more uncertain.Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article contentDeputy Governor Cosmin Marinescu said earlier this week that a prolonged conflict in the Middle East would “completely alter” Romania’s inflation forecast. He estimated that a 10% spike in oil prices would add about 0.3 percentage points to Romania’s inflation rate. Article contentSome analysts see a debate on monetary easing possible in the second half of the year. Article contentThe central bank, which has an inflation target range of 1.5% to 3.5%, envisaged in its current forecast consumer price growth slowing to 3.9% at the end of 2026. Article contentIn an effort to limit the impact of global tensions on local prices, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan’s government has delayed liberalization of natural gas prices until next year, when new production from the Black Sea block Neptun Deep is expected to start. Article contentThe cabinet, which has bickered over painful austerity measures needed to curb the EU’s widest deficit, may also consider more measures to ease the impact of energy shock in the coming days alongside a planned vote on the long-delayed budget for this year. Article content—With assistance from Harumi Ichikura, Barbara Sladkowska and Irina Vilcu.Article contentTrending CRA refused to cancel TFSA overcontribution tax Personal Finance What's next for Roots, the iconic Canadian brand that said it might put itself up for sale? Retail & Marketing 82 Canadians crack Forbes’ 2026 list of the world’s billionaires. Here's the top 10 High Net Worth Canadian telecom Telus says it’s investigating a cyber-breach Cybersecurity 'The bids just dried right up': Iran-driven oil shock ripples through Canadian economy News Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. CRA refused to cancel TFSA overcontribution tax Personal Finance What's next for Roots, the iconic Canadian brand that said it might put itself up for sale? Retail & Marketing 82 Canadians crack Forbes’ 2026 list of the world’s billionaires. Here's the top 10 High Net Worth Canadian telecom Telus says it’s investigating a cyber-breach Cybersecurity 'The bids just dried right up': Iran-driven oil shock ripples through Canadian economy News