French CPI flat in December as energy prices weigh

French consumer prices rose slightly more than expected in December as energy prices slipped sharply.

The consumer price index was flat month-on-month when measured in harmonised terms, as energy prices slid 1.2% in comparison to the prior month, according to the country's statistics office, INSEE.

Food prices dropped 0.3% versus November while those of manufactured goods rose by 0.3%, reocuping most of the previous month's drop.

Inflation in services increased by 0.6%.

Excluding tobacco the CPI registered a gain of 0.2% when measured both month-on-month and year-over-year.

In comparison to a year ago harmonised prices were up by 0.2%.