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China Inflation Rate Rises More than Forecast
China's annual inflation rate rose to 2.7 percent in July 2020, recovering further from a 14-month low hit in May and slightly beating market expectations of 2.6 percent. Food inflation hit its highest in three months (13.2 percent vs 11.1 percent in June), amid the coronavirus pandemic and damage caused by floods in central and southern of the country. Meantime, prices for non-food products and services were unchanged, after rising in June. Inflation was flat for other goods and services (at 5.1 percent), while prices increased at a slower pace for both healthcare (1.6 percent vs 1.9 percent) and education, culture & recreation (0.3 percent vs 1.9 percent). At the same time, cost fell for transport (-4.4 percent vs -4.6 percent), rent, fuel, and utilities (-0.7 percent vs -0.6 percent), household goods and services (-0.1 percent vs 0.0 percent), and clothing (-0.5 percent vs -0.4 percent). On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.6 percent, the first rise in five months.
Published on 2020-08-10

China Inflation Rate Edges Up to 2.5%
China's annual inflation rate rose to 2.5 percent in June 2020 from a 14-month low of 2.4 percent in the prior month and in line with market expectations. Food inflation accelerated to 11.1 percent from 10.6 percent in May as pork prices continued to rise (81.6 percent vs 81.7 percent). On the other hand, non-food prices slowed (0.3 percent vs 0.4 percent in May), due to healthcare (1.9 percent vs 2.1 percent), education, culture & recreation (1.9 percent vs 2.2 percent), and other goods & services (5.1 percent vs 5.3 percent). Meantime, cost fell for transport (-4.6 percent vs -5.1 percent), rent, fuel, and utilities (-0.6 percent vs -0.5 percent) and clothing (-0.4 percent, the same as in May). On a monthly basis, consumer prices dropped 0.1 percent, after a 0.8 percent decline in May and compared with forecasts of a flat reading.
Published on 2020-07-09

China Inflation Rate Slows to 14-Month Low
China's annual inflation rate fell to 2.4% in May 2020 from 3.3% in the previous month, below market consensus of 2.7%. This was the lowest figure since March 2019, amid government control measures to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. Food inflation eased to a 9-month low of 10.6% from 14.8% in April, with pork prices rising for 15th month and at a softer rate (81.7% vs 96.9%). Meantime, non-food inflation was unchanged at 0.4% as cost of other goods and services rose by 5.3%, the same as in April, while there were rises in cost of clothing (2.3% vs -0.3%), household goods (0.1% vs 0.3%), education, culture (2.2 % vs 2.5%), and healthcare (2.1% vs 2.2 %). Meantime, cost fell for both rent, fuel and utilities (-0.5% vs -0.1%) and transport (-5.1% vs -3.8%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices dropped by 0.8 percent, after a 0.9 percent decline in April and compared with forecasts of a 0.5% fall.
Published on 2020-06-10

China Inflation Rate Hits 7-Month Low
China's annual inflation rate fell to 3.3 percent in April 2020 from 4.3 percent in the previous month and below market consensus of 3.7 percent. This was the lowest rate since September 2019 as the COVID-19 crisis deepened. Food inflation eased also to a seven-month low of 14.8 percent from 18.3 percent in March, with pork prices rising at a softer rate (96.9 percent vs 116.4 percent). Non-food inflation also slowed to 0.4 percent from 0.7 percent, amid falls in cost of clothing (-0.4 percent vs -0.3 percent), rent, fuel and utilities (-0.3 percent vs -0.1 percent), and transport & communication (-4.9 percent vs -3.8 percent). Upward pressure came from household goods & services (0.1 percent vs 0.3 percent), education, culture & recreation (2 percent vs 2.5 percent), healthcare (2.2 percent, the same as in March) and other goods & services (4.8 percent vs 5.3 percent). On a monthly basis, consumer prices dropped 0.9 percent, after a 1.2 percent decline in March.
Published on 2020-05-12

China Inflation Rate Slows More than Estimated
China's annual inflation rate fell to 4.3% in March 2020 from 5.2% in February and compared with market consensus of 4.8%. This was the lowest inflation rate since October 2019, amid government control measures to contain the COVID-19 outbreak, with cost rising less for both food and non-food. Food inflation eased to 18.3% from a near 12-month high of 21.9% in February, with pork prices rising for 13th month and at a softer rate (116.4% vs 135.2%). Non-food inflation also eased to 0.7% to 0.9%, amid falls in cost of clothing (-0.3% vs 0.5%), rent, fuel and utilities (-0.1% vs 0.3%), and transport (-3.8% vs -1.6%), while cost rose for household goods (0.3% vs 0.1%), education, culture (2.5 % vs 1%), healthcare (2.2% vs 2.2 %) and other goods and services (5.3% vs 4.4%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices fell 1.2%, the first drop since June last year, after a 0.8% gain in February.
Published on 2020-04-10

China Inflation Rate Slows to 5.2% in February
China's annual inflation rate fell to 5.2 percent in February 2020 from an over eight-year high of 5.4 percent in January, as non-food prices rose at a softer pace due to clothing (0.5 percent vs 0.6 percent), rent, fuel & utilities (0.3 percent vs 0.5 percent), household goods & services (0.1 percent vs 0.2 percent), education, culture & recreation (1.0 percent vs 2.2 percent), healthcare (2.2 percent vs 2.3 percent) and other goods and services (4.4 percent vs 4.8 percent). In addition, transport & communication prices fell 1.6 percent (vs 0.9 percent in January). Meanwhile, food prices surged 21.9 percent, the most since April 2008, with pork prices rising at a steeper rate (135.2 percent vs 116 percent). Pork prices have been rising amid a prolonged African swine fever epidemic and some lock-downs and transport restrictions on the back of a virus outbreak. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.8 percent, much slower than a 1.4 percent gain in January.
Published on 2020-03-10

China Inflation Rate Highest in Over 8 Years
China's annual inflation rate jumped to 5.4% in January 2020 from 4.5% in December, above market consensus of 4.9%. This was the highest inflation rate since October 2011 due to rising pork prices, stronger demand during the Lunar New Year holiday and the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. Food prices went up 20.6% yoy, the most since April 2008, with pork prices rising for the 11th month in a row and at a steeper rate (116% vs 97% in December). Pork prices have been rising during the last year amid a prolonged African swine fever epidemic and in January 2020, several lockdowns and transport restrictions due to the coronavirus outbreak weighed on the pork cost even more. Non-food price inflation rose to 1.6% from 1.3% in December. Main upward pressure came from clothing (0.6% vs 0.8%); rent, fuel (0.5% vs 0.5%), household goods (0.2% vs 0.4%); transport & communication (0.9% vs -0.7%); education, culture (2.2% vs 1.8%); healthcare (2.3% vs 2.1%) and other goods and services (4.8% vs 4.4%).
Published on 2020-02-10

China Inflation Rate Stays at 8-Year High
China's annual inflation rate unexpectedly steadied at 4.5 percent in December 2019, the same as in the previous month and less than market expectations of 4.7 percent. Still, it remained the highest inflation rate since January 2012, as pork prices surged 97 percent on the back of a prolonged African swine fever epidemic. The government previously said it will use its reserves to provide sufficient pork supply to meet higher demand ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays later in January. Food inflation eased to 17.1 percent from 19.1 percent while non food cost rose at a faster 1.3 percent (1 percent). For full 2019, consumer inflation was at 2.9 percent, in line with the government target of 3 percent. On a monthly basis, consumer prices were flat in December, compared to market estimates of a 0.3 percent advance and following a 0.4 percent gain in November.
Published on 2020-01-09

China Inflation Rate Highest Since 2012
China's annual inflation rose to 4.5% in November 2019 from 3.8% in the previous month, above market expectations of 4.2%. It is the highest inflation rate since January 2012 as pork prices jumped 110% caused by a prolonged African swine fever epidemic. The government recently said it will use the reserves to provide sufficient pork supply to meat demand for China's Lunar New Year holidays in January. On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased by 0.4%, after a 0.9% jump in October and compared to market estimates of 0.1%.
Published on 2019-12-10

China Inflation Rate Rises to Near 8-Year High
China's annual inflation rose to 3.8 percent in October 2019 from 3 percent in the previous month and above market expectations of 3.3 percent. This was the highest inflation rate since January 2012, mainly due to persistently high pork prices following an outbreak of African swine fever. On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased by 0.9 percent in October, the same as in September, and higher than market estimates of 0.7 percent.
Published on 2019-11-09

China Inflation Rate Rises to Near 6-Year High
China's annual inflation rose to 3 percent in September 2019 from 2.8 percent in the previous month and above market expectations of 2.9 percent. This was the highest inflation rate since October 2013, mainly due to persistently high pork prices following an outbreak of African swine fever. On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased by 0.9 percent in September, the most since February, following a 0.7 percent gain in August and higher than market estimates of 0.7 percent.
Published on 2019-10-15

China August Inflation Rate Steady at 2.8%
China's annual inflation rate was at 2.8 percent in August 2019, unchanged from the previous month and above market forecasts of 2.6 percent. It remained the highest consumer inflation rate since February 2018, driven by persistently high pork prices amid an outbreak of African swine fever.
Published on 2019-09-10

China Inflation Rate Hits 17-Month High
China's annual inflation rate rose to 2.8 percent in July 2019 from 2.7 percent in the previous month and above market estimates of 2.7 percent. That was the highest rate since February 2018 boosted by the fastest increase in food prices since January 2012, as pork prices were persistently high in the wake of an outbreak of African swine fever. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose by 0.4 percent in July, the most since February, after a 0.1 percent decline in June while markets had expected a 0.2 percent gain.
Published on 2019-08-09

China June Inflation Rate Steady at 15-Month High
China's annual inflation rate stood at 2.7% in June 2019, unchanged from the previous month's 15-month high and matching market expectations. Food inflation rose to its highest since January 2012, as pork prices were persistently high following an outbreak of African swine fever. On a monthly basis, consumer prices fell 0.1 percent in June, after a flat reading in May and in line with market consensus.
Published on 2019-07-10

China Inflation Rate Hits 15-Month High in May
China's consumer price inflation rose to 2.7 percent year-on-year in May 2019 from 2.5 percent in the previous month and matching market consensus. It was the highest inflation rate since February last year, as food cost increased the most since January 2012, with pork prices being persistently high following an outbreak of African swine fever. On a monthly basis, consumer prices were unchanged in May, after a 0.1 percent gain in April, in line with expectations.
Published on 2019-06-12

China Inflation Rate Rises to 6-Month High
China's consumer price inflation rose to 2.5 percent year-on-year in April 2019 from 2.3 percent in the previous month, matching market consensus. This was the highest rate since October last year, with food cost rising the most in three years as an outbreak of African swine fever sent pork prices soaring further.
Published on 2019-05-09

China Inflation Rate Rises to 5-Month High
China's consumer price inflation rose to 2.3 percent year-on-year in March 2019 from 1.5 percent in the previous month, in line with market consensus. This was the highest rate since October last year, mainly due to a surge in prices of food as an outbreak of African swine fever sent the price of pork soaring. Annual core inflation, which strips out volatile food and energy prices, stood at 1.8 percent in March, the same as in February. On a monthly basis, consumer prices fell 0.4 percent in March, after an increase of 1 percent in February and compared to market expectations of a 0.2 percent drop.
Published on 2019-04-11

China Inflation Rate Slows to 13-Month Low of 1.5%
China's consumer price inflation fell to 1.5 percent year-on-year in February 2019 from 1.7 percent in the previous month and matching market consensus. This was the lowest inflation rate since January last year, mainly due to a marked slowdown in prices of food. On a monthly basis, consumer prices went up 1.0 percent in February, after a 0.5 percent rise in January and above market expectations of 0.7 percent gain. It marked the highest monthly figure in a year.
Published on 2019-03-09

China Inflation Rate Lowest in a Year
China's consumer price inflation slowed to 1.7 percent year-on-year in January 2019 from 1.9 percent in the previous month and below market consensus of 1.9 percent. It was the lowest inflation rate since January 2018, as food prices rose at a softer pace. On a monthly basis, consumer prices went up 0.5 percent in January, after being unchanged in December and matching market estimates.
Published on 2019-02-15

China Inflation Rate Slows to 6-Month Low
China's consumer price inflation slowed to a six-month low of 1.9 percent year-on-year in December 2018 from 2.2 percent in the previous month and below market consensus of 2.1 percent. The slowdown in inflation was mainly due to non-food prices, while food inflation remained at its lowest level in three months. Annual core inflation, which strips out volatile food and energy prices, stood at 1.8 percent in December, unchanged from the previous month. Considering 2018 full year, the inflation rate rose to 2.1 percent from 1.6 percent in 2017, still missing the government's target of around 3 percent.
Published on 2019-01-10