Cost index for road goods transport, Q2.333333333333333333 2003

The decrease in real interest rates continued from June to July, resulting in a 2.3 per cent decrease in the index for capital costs. The real interest rates are based on the consumer price index and three months' NIBOR-rates from The Central Bank of Norway, and may therefore deviate somewhat from the average interest offered by Norwegian banks.

In the last 12 months the capital index has decreased by 5.2 per cent.

Diesel prices continues to increase

The fuel index increased by 1.4 per cent from June to July, and in the last 12 months this sub-index has increased by 2.2 per cent. The fuel index is based on actual diesel prices collected from a representative selection of dealers across the country on the 15th of each month.

The other sub-indices show little or no change in the last month.

Tables:

• Table 1 Total cost indices. January 1998=100