Jan inflation likely slowed to 1.2-1.4%

INFLATION could have eased to a range of 1.2 percent to 1.4 percent in January, analysts polled by The Manila Times said, which means that monetary authorities are unlikely to adjust policy when they meet later this month.

Inflation accelerated to 1.5 percent in December from 1.1 percent in November. Official January data will be released on Friday. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), whose policy-making Monetary Board meets on February 11, has offered a forecast range of 0.8 percent to 1.6 percent.