The annual inflation rate reached 4.4% last month, due a 0.1% increase in consumer prices, according to forecasts by the members of the "Association of Financial and Banking Analysts of Romania" (AAFBR).

The pace of the rise in inflation slowed down after consumer prices increased 0.35% compared to March, meaning the annual inflation climbed to 4.28%, mostly due to the depreciation of the leu and the increase in the price of drugs.

According to the internal poll of the members of the AAFBR, analyst forecasts concerning the inflation rate range between 4.4% and 4.6%, for the annual rate, and 0.1% and 0.3%, for the inflation of May.

Analyst estimates expect the inflation rate to exceed the one forecasted by the Central Bank.

The NBR revised the inflation prognosis for this year upwards, from 3.5% to 3.7% for 2010, and from 2.7% to 2.8% for 2011.

AAFBR is a professional association without any lucrative purposes, which was created in January 2008 and includes over 50 analysts from the various areas of the financial industry such as banking, pension funds, asset management, insurance and capital markets.

Izabela Sîrbu (Tradus de Cosmin Ghidoveanu) The annual inflation rate reached 4.4% last month, due a 0.1% increase in consumer prices, according to forecasts by the members of the "Association of Financial and Banking Analysts of Romania" (AAFBR).

The pace of the rise in inflation slowed down after consumer prices increased 0.35% compared to March, meaning the annual inflation climbed to 4.28%, mostly due to the depreciation of the leu and the increase in the price of drugs.

According to the internal poll of the members of the AAFBR, analyst forecasts concerning the inflation rate range between 4.4% and 4.6%, for the annual rate, and 0.1% and 0.3%, for the inflation of May.

Analyst estimates expect the inflation rat