Norway Inflation Surprise Puts March Rate Cut Plan in Doubt

Norway’s inflation accelerated more than expected last month, calling into question Norges Bank’s long-awaited first interest-rate cut in two weeks.

Underlying consumer-price growth that excludes energy costs rose to 3.4% in February, the highest level in eight months, according to data from the statistics office on Monday. That topped the highest estimate in a Bloomberg survey with a median forecast of 2.9%, while Norges Bank projected a 2.7% gain.