But, with annual inflation now exceeding 500 percent, the Federal Government has been forced to cut back its spending.

Last month's figures left no doubt that inflation this year will exceed the earlier Government target of 75 to 85 percent.

With Russia's inflation exceeding 8 percent a month, interest rates are too high for most companies.

Between 1992 and 1999, inflation on consumer goods never exceeded 3.5 percent over a 12-month period.

He admitted in the same speech, however, that inflation in January would exceed 2 percent.

In the aftermath of the reform, inflation exceeded the 50 percent mark every month.

This might arise if cumulative inflation reaches or exceeds 100% over three years.

Bankers and independent economists believe that 1986 inflation again exceeded 20 percent, despite a prize freeze in the last two months of the year.

The figures indicate that inflation will exceed the Government's official annual estimate of 42 percent.

The inflation exceeds that experienced in the Great Depression of 1929.