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Inflation highest in 20 mths
Oct 26, 2010
Sept CPI climbs 3.7%; housing and transport are main price drivers
By Robin Chan
Inflation in Singapore rose to its highest level in 20 months last month. -- PHOTO: TNP/KUA CHEE SIONG
INFLATION in Singapore rose to its highest level in 20 months last month as housing, transport and food continued to become more expensive.
Last month's consumer price index (CPI) rose 3.7 per cent from the same month a year earlier. It follows a move earlier this month by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to tighten monetary conditions, owing to its concerns over rising costs.
The CPI came in slightly above a 3.6 per cent rise estimated by 13 economists in a survey by Bloomberg News.
Inflation rose 0.2 per cent month-on-month from August, after adjusting for seasonal factors, according to the Department of Statistics yesterday.
DBS economist Irvin Seah said: 'With overall inflation grinding steadily northward, risks are certainly tilting towards inflation rather than growth.'
Transport and housing were the main factors as higher car prices contributed a 9.1 per cent rise in transportation costs from a year ago, while housing costs rose 4.7 per cent. However, there were signs that car prices are easing, as they fell 0.2 per cent from August.
Oct 26, 2010
Sept CPI climbs 3.7%; housing and transport are main price drivers
By Robin Chan

Inflation in Singapore rose to its highest level in 20 months last month. -- PHOTO: TNP/KUA CHEE SIONG
INFLATION in Singapore rose to its highest level in 20 months last month as housing, transport and food continued to become more expensive.
Last month's consumer price index (CPI) rose 3.7 per cent from the same month a year earlier. It follows a move earlier this month by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to tighten monetary conditions, owing to its concerns over rising costs.
The CPI came in slightly above a 3.6 per cent rise estimated by 13 economists in a survey by Bloomberg News.
Inflation rose 0.2 per cent month-on-month from August, after adjusting for seasonal factors, according to the Department of Statistics yesterday.
DBS economist Irvin Seah said: 'With overall inflation grinding steadily northward, risks are certainly tilting towards inflation rather than growth.'
Transport and housing were the main factors as higher car prices contributed a 9.1 per cent rise in transportation costs from a year ago, while housing costs rose 4.7 per cent. However, there were signs that car prices are easing, as they fell 0.2 per cent from August.