Price index of first-hand domestic sales, 15 February 2003

Prices of mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials decreased by 1.2 per cent from January to February. The development was mainly due to a 16.4 per cent decrease of electricity prices. According to the Nordpool Spot Market - prices of electricity decreased by 30 per cent from January to February, but an increase in petroleum and petroleum products of 7.4 per cent counteracted this price fall. Prices of food increased by 0.1 per cent, while crude materials decreased by 1.7 per cent. Manufactured goods and machinery and transport equipment decreased by 0.1 and 2.2 respectively.

The overall domestic market showed a decrease of 0.8 per cent. This development was mainly due to a decrease in prices of electricity.

The 12-month rate, February 2002 to February 2003: 10 per cent increase

The overall 12-month rate was 10 per cent. This development was mainly due to higher prices of mineral fuels, lubricants and electricity, 40.4 per cent compared with figures from last year, of which petroleum and petroleum products and electricity increased by 26.2 and 103.3 per cent respectively. The development of the 12-month rate for electricity prices, which have shown a considerable increase for more than half a year, showed a decrease for the first time since June 2002.

Most main groups showed a decline compared with last year, except beverages and tobacco. Within the main groups, crude materials and food decreased by 6 and 0.5 per cent respectively compared with February last year.