Australian consumer prices flat in Q4

SYDNEY (MarketWatch)
Australian consumer prices were unchanged in the December quarter of 2011, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported Wednesday
The September quarter had shown a 0.6% rise in the consumer price index
Prices for fruit, pharmaceutical products and vegetables fell notably in the quarter, offsetting rises for domestic holiday travel and accommodation, rent, beer and gasoline
On an annual basis, consumer prices rose 3.1% in the December quarter, decelerating from a 3.5% annual rise in the September quarter
Economists had been expecting quarterly CPI to rise 0.2%, or 3.3% higher on an annual basis, according to data compiled by Dow Jones Newswires