The downward pressure came from: electricity, gas and water (-10.1 percent from -4.6 percent in August); durable goods prices (-5.6 percent); and clothing and footwear cost (-1.0 percent). Price increases were recorded for: housing (+3.6 percent); meals bought away from home (+4.2 percent); food (excluding meals bought away from home) (+3.5 percent); miscellaneous services (+1.3 percent); miscellaneous goods (+0.7 percent), alcoholic drinks and tobacco (+0.1 percent). As for transport, the Composite CPI fell by 0.3 percent.
On a monthly basis, the composite consumer price index increased by 2.6 percent, from a 2.4 percent drop in the previous month.
Looking ahead, the upside risks to inflation should remain contained in the near term given the soft import prices and moderate local cost pressures, a Government spokesman said.