The downward pressure came from: electricity, gas and water (-4.6 percent from +1 percent in July); durable goods prices (-5.7 percent); and clothing and footwear cost (-1.8 percent). The price increases were recorded for: housing (+4.4 percent); meals bought away from home (+4.3 percent); food (excluding meals bought away from home) (+4.1 percent); miscellaneous services (+1.2 percent); miscellaneous goods (+0.5 percent), alcoholic drinks and tobacco (0.4 percent). As for transport, the Composite CPI fell by 0.5 percent.
On a monthly basis, the composite consumer price index fell by 2.4 percent, from a 0.4 percent increase in the previous month.
Looking ahead, the upside risks to inflation should remain limited in the near term, in view of the soft international commodity prices and import prices as well as the moderate local cost pressures, a Government spokesman said.