Final consumer prices ticked higher from their initial reading, increasing 0.6 percent in April from March, and up 0.8 percent from a year ago, both measures 0.1 percentage point above the flash reading. Accounting for seasonal effects, prices were up a more modest 0.3 percent in April, reversing a 0.2 percent decline the previous month.

Price increases were evident in services which increased 1.1 percent during the reporting month and stood 2.4 percent higher than their year-ago level. Energy again helped offset the gain as prices fell 1.6 percent from March and 7.8 percent from April of last year.

Households paid 0.7 percent more for food in April than in March and 1.2 percent more than a year ago.

Within services, transportation costs increased 10.2 percent in April, and 3.9 percent on a year-on-year basis.

Core inflation was a more moderate 0.2 percent in April, although it increased 1.3 percent using a year-on-year comparison. The HICP, which allows for comparison against inflation in other European countries was 0.7 percent higher in April, and 0.9 percent higher than a year ago, both increasing from their flash reading.

Offsetting price developments are keeping overall prices in check for the time being, but continues increases in services prices will put stress on household budgets which in turn could dampen retail sales in the coming months.

The consensus sees no revision in increases of 0.5 percent on month and 0.8 percent on year already reported for April.

The consumer price index (CPI) is a measure of the average price level of a fixed basket of goods and services purchased by consumers. Monthly and annual changes in the CPI represent the main rates of inflation. The national CPI is released alongside the HICP, Eurostat's harmonized measure of consumer prices. A flash estimate was released for the first time in January 2016 and is now published towards the end of each reference month.

The consumer price index is the most widely followed indicator of inflation. An investor who understands how inflation influences the markets will benefit over those investors that do not understand the impact. In countries where monetary policy decisions rest on the central bank's inflation target, the rate of inflation directly affects all interest rates charged to business and the consumer. As a member of the European Monetary Union, France's interest rates are set by the European Central Bank.

France like other EMU countries has both a national CPI and a harmonized index of consumer prices (HICP). The HICP is calculated to give a comparable inflation measure for the EMU. Components and weights within the national CPI vary from other countries, reflecting national idiosyncrasies.

Inflation is an increase in the overall prices of goods and services. The relationship between inflation and interest rates is the key to understanding how indicators such as the CPI influence the markets - and your investments. As the rate of inflation changes and as expectations on inflation change, the markets adjust interest rates. The effect ripples across stocks, bonds, commodities, and your portfolio, often in a dramatic fashion.

By tracking inflation, whether high or low, rising or falling, investors can anticipate how different types of investments will perform. Over the long run, the bond market will rally (fall) when increases in the CPI are small (large). The equity market rallies with the bond market because low inflation promises low interest rates and is good for profits.