Bermuda's annual rate of inflation for September remained at 2 percent -- the level recorded in August.

And consumer prices on average advanced 0.4 per cent as the all-items index rose from 108.2 index points in August to 108.6 in September.

The latest numbers from the Statistics Department and Ministry of Finance also show the Clothing and Footwear sector benefited from the introduction of new fall merchandise. The sector reported a 1 per cent jump.

And an increase in the average cost of education led to a 0.8 per cent rise in Education, Recreation and Reading. The annual rates of tuition fees for both local private schools and overseas colleges and universities advanced 3.6 and 0.5 per cent respectively.

Next in line was the Household Goods, Services and Supplies sector with a 0.5 per cent advance as parents paid out more due to a 4.5 per cent increase in nursery school fees.

Both the Rent and Transport and Vehicle sectors rose by 0.3 per cent in September.

Within the heavily weighted Rent sector the average price of rents increased 0.2 per cent while repair and maintenance costs advanced 1 per cent.

And in the Transport and Vehicle sector a seasonal increase of 4.1 per cent in the cost of overseas hotel accommodation was softened by a 0.6 per cent decline in the average cost of gasoline and a 3.2 per cent drop in airfares.

Lastly, Food rose 0.2 per cent while both Tobacco and Liquor, and Fuel and Power increased by 0.1 per cent.

The Health and Personal Care sector showed no price movement from the previous month.

BUSINESS BUC