Four ways to keep inflation at bay

BEATING INFLATION

With news inflation jumped to 4.4% in February and with gold prices still soaring, Joanna Faith looks at some alternative hedges.

Inflation is dominating headlines once again with the annoucement the UK Consumer Prices Index (CPI) annual rate of inflation has risen to 4.4%, up from 4% in January and more than double the Bank's target of 2%. The higher-than-expected increase comes just a day before George Osborne unveils his Budget and compares with a figure of 4.2% forecast by a 32-strong group of economists. Industry commentators had warned spiralling inflation would be a prominent trend in 2011 with Investec stalwart John Stopford saying inflation will be one of the three dominant themes this year. So what ...