Singapore's consumer price index was up 6.4 percent on year in October, the National Statistics Office said on Monday. That was higher than analyst expectations that fell in a range of between 6.0 and 6.2 percent higher on year, but it was down from the 6.7 percent annual expansion in the previous month.
The increase was due mainly to higher costs in accommodations and electricity tariff, the report showed, as housing costs were up an annual 16.4 percent. Excluding accommodation costs, inflation was up 4.9 percent on year in October. Food prices were up an annual 7.8 percent to pace the increase, while health care added 4.5 percent, recreation was up 3.3 percent, education gained 2.2 percent and clothing was up 1.2 percent.
For the period of January through October, inflation is up 6.8 percent on year - and an annual 5.9 percent, minus accommodations.
On a monthly basis, inflation was up 1.0 percent as housing prices gained 4.3 percent, while education added 1.0 percent, recreation was up 0.5 percent, food was up 0.2 percent and health care gained 0.1 percent. Clothing prices actually fell 1.8 percent and communications equipment eased 0.6 percent.
On a seasonally adjusted basis, consumer prices in October were 0.8 percent higher on month. On a three-month moving average basis, inflation was up 0.4 percent on month.
For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com