Hong Kong: Inflation inches down in September
Inflation ticked down to 3.2% in September from 3.5% in August. When accounting for the effects of one-off government relief measures, inflation in September ticked down to 3.2% in September from 3.4% in August. The print was primarily driven by a softer increase in housing costs. That said, higher prices for food, due to rising pork prices stemming from the effects of the African swine fever on supply, kept inflationary pressures elevated by historical standards.
For the July-September period, the average of the month-on-month seasonally-adjusted variation in consumer prices was 0.2%, down from 0.4% in the three-month period ending in August.
Commenting on the inflation outlook, a government spokesperson noted, “overall price pressures should remain contained along with subdued local economic conditions and further easing of imported inflation. Yet, the inflation rate may stay somewhat elevated in the near term given the supply situation of fresh pork.”