Mumbai: The annual rate of inflation based on wholesale price index rose 5.45 per cent in the week ended November 18 as against the previous week's 5.29 per cent, data released by the government said.

The rise was due to an increase in mineral and manufactured product prices, data showed.

The annual rate of inflation was 4.27 per cent during the corresponding week of the previous year, the commerce & industry ministry said.

The wholesale price index is more closely watched than the consumer price index, which is published monthly, because it has a higher number of products in its basket and is published weekly.