Inflation rate remains static; WPI edges lower

* The annual inflation rate remained unchanged at the previous week's level of 8.01 per cent, despite a significant decline in the prices of primary articles and a marginal increase in the prices of manufactured goods.

The final inflation rate for the third week of October was at 7.32 per cent against the provisional figure of 6.78 per cent.

* The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) fell by 0.1 per cent to 157.7 from 157.8 the previous week and 146 a year ago. The prices of primary articles fell sharply by 0.6 per cent, while manufactured items' prices increased by 0.01 per cent. Fuel prices continued to hold firm for the second consecutive week.