Hong Kong's consumer price inflation accelerated to a four-month high in June, data released by the Census and Statistics Department showed Monday.
The consumer price index rose 4.1 percent year-on-year in June, faster than a 3.9 percent increase in May. The figure matched economists' forecasts.
The underlying inflation rate, that excludes price changes due to government's one-off measures, was 4 percent in June. This was higher than 3.8 percent recorded in May.
This increase in the core inflation rate can mainly be attributed to sharp increases in prices of fresh vegetables and private housing rentals, the statistical office said.
Looking ahead, inflation is still subject to modest upside risks in the coming months as the lagged effects of the rise in private housing rentals during 2012 will continue to feed through, a government spokesperson said in a note.
Data showed that food prices increased 4.3 percent year-on-year in June, while housing costs jumped 6.3 percent from last year. Prices of electricity, gas and water increased 6.7 percent.
Transport charges increased 2 percent annually in June and costs of clothing and footwear rose 1.1 percent.
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