German Inflation Accelerated in January on Energy, Food Prices

Inflation in Germany, Europe’s largest economy, accelerated to the fastest in more than two years in January, led by higher costs for food and energy.

The inflation rate, calculated using a harmonized European method, increased to 2 percent after rising an annual 1.9 percent in December, the Federal Statistics Office in Wiesbaden said today, confirming an initial estimate published on Jan. 27. That’s the fastest since October 2008. In the month, consumer prices fell 0.5 percent after rising 1.2 percent in December.