Italian EU-harmonised consumer prices (HICP) rose a preliminary 0.2% month-on-month in June, with annual inflation accelerating slightly to 0.9% from 0.8% in May, data showed on Friday. The HICP year-on-year rise was in line the median forecast in a Reuters survey of 18 analysts.

Official statistics agency ISTAT also reported that the main domestic price index (NIC), was up 0.1% on the month and up 0.8% annually in June, following a 0.8% annual rate in May. ISTAT said the recent stabilisation of inflation was "mainly due to the easing of tensions in unprocessed food prices." Core inflation (net of fresh food and energy) was running at 2.1% year-on-year on the HICP index in June, down from 2.2% last month.

ISTAT gave the following preliminary breakdown: The EU-harmonised index (HICP): June May April Monthly change 0.2 0.2 0.5 Year-on-year inflation 0.9 0.8 0.9 Index (base 2015=100) 122.9 122.7 122.4 The NIC index: Monthly change 0.1 0.2 0.1 Year-on-year inflation 0.8 0.8 0.8 Index (base 2015=100) 120.7 120.6 120.3 ISTAT gave the following sector-by-sector breakdown for the HICP in June: Sector m/m yr/yr Food 0.0 1.8 Alcoholic drinks, tobacco 0.1 2.3 Clothing 0.1 1.2 Housing, electricity, fuel 0.4 -6.2 Domestic goods 0.1 0.6 Health spending 0.2 2.2 Transport -0.3 1.6 Communications -0.4 -5.6 Recreation -0.3 1.5 Education 0.0 1.9 Hotels, restaurants 1.0 4.3 Other goods, services 0.3 2.7 (Reporting by Antonella Cinelli, editing by Gavin Jones)