Russian consumer price inflation posted 0.9% month on month and 7.4% year on year in January 2024, according to the latest data from RosStat. (chart) Monthly price growth exceeded the market expectations (0.7% according to Interfax survey cited by Renaissance Capital), while annual reading remained at the same level as December 2023. As followed by bne IntelliNews, inflation is in focus ahead of the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) policy meeting on February 16. In 2023 the CBR was forced to play catch up with persistently high inflation: in less than five months the key rate has more than doubled…