Retail inflation hardened for the fifth straight month in December 2015 at 5.61 per cent. This is against consumer price index (CPI) print of 5.41 per cent in November 2015.
In December 2014, retail inflation had come in at 4.28 percent.
The main reason for the latest CPI print inching up to 5.61 per cent was food inflation, which at 6.4 per cent hit a nine month high.
Food inflation accounts for 46 per cent of the CPI basket.
In November 2014, food inflation had come in at 6.07 per cent. It was 3.96 percent in December 2014.
Srivats.kr@thehindu.co.in