PRAGUE, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Czech industrial producer prices dipped by 0.4 percent in July from June, and showed an annual decline of 4.9 percent, the biggest drop since 1991 when records started.
In June, producer prices dropped 4.4 percent year on year.
Analysts said the data was mainly affected by commodity prices and that it did not indicate signs of deflation in the wider economy.
The statistics bureau said agricultural producer prices dipped 1.7 percent on the month, and showed a 26.7 percent year on year drop, decelerating from June's 27.9 percent fall. **************************************************************** KEY POINTS: (change in percent) July June July forecast PPI month/month -0.4 0.0 -0.3 year/year -4.9 -4.4 -4.8 (For full table of data........................[
]) - The monthly development in the producer price index (PPI) included a 3.7 percent drop in prices of coke and refinery products. - Prices of vehicles fell 1.7 percent and prices of metals and metal products dropped 0.8 percent. -Prices of chemicals and chemical products rose 3.5 percent.
COMMENT:
MICHAL BROZKA, ANALYST, RAIFFEISENBANK
"Looking at the current price development gives a similar impression across the economy. The absence of inflationary pressures will likely mean interest rates will stay low for a number of months and raising (rates) will come next year."
JIRI SKOP, ECONOMIC AND STRATEGY RESEARCH, KOMERCNI BANKA
"The annual declines should, in the coming months, continue and the return to black numbers should take place next year."
"For the entire year, industrial prices should fall by 3 percent. In 2010 we expect a small growth of 1.5 percent as commodity prices rise."
PETR DUFEK, ANALYST, CSOB
"It's another decline in prices, which shows continuing low demand for industrial producers... It is another argument for the claim that inflation risks in the economy are zero.
"The same works for agricultural prices, so we can expect another drop in inflation even deeper below the central bank target."
"Risks of inflation are at the moment non-existent, and the economic recovery is far ahead."
"For now the central bank will not be changing rates."
PETR SKLENAR, ANALYST, ATLANTIK FT
"The movements are mainly driven by changes in prices of raw materials, commodities... It is not something monetary policy should react to."
"So far we do not see any deflation pressure."
RADOMIR JAC, CHIEF ECONOMIST, GENERALI PPF ASSET MANGEMENT
"Leaders (of the decline) were prices of commodities, metals