News

China Inflation Rate Below Estimates
China’s annual inflation eased to 1.0% in March 2026 from February’s over three-year high of 1.3%, falling short of market expectations of 1.2%. Food prices rose at a much softer pace (0.3% vs 1.7% in February), amid a sharp slowdown in fresh vegetables and fruit, alongside a steeper decline in pork prices. Meanwhile, non-food inflation eased slightly (1.2% vs 1.3%), with prices continuing to rise for clothing (1.6% vs 1.9%), healthcare (1.9% vs 1.9%), and education (1.1% vs 2.0%). Transport costs rebounded (0.9% vs -0.7%), while a decline in housing costs persisted (-0.2% vs -0.2%).On a monthly basis, the CPI fell 0.7%, reversing a 1.0% increase in February and marking the first decline since November, while also undershooting forecasts of a 0.2% drop.
Published on 2026-04-10

China Inflation Rate Below Estimates
China’s annual inflation eased to 1.0% in March 2026 from February’s over three-year high of 1.3%, falling short of market expectations of 1.2%. Food prices rose at a much softer pace (0.3% vs 1.7% in February), amid a sharp slowdown in fresh vegetables and fruit, alongside a steeper decline in pork prices. Meanwhile, non-food inflation was little changed (1.2% vs 1.3%), with prices continuing to rise for clothing (1.6% vs 1.9%), healthcare (1.9% vs 1.9%), and education (1.1% vs 2.0%). Transport costs rebounded (0.9% vs -0.7%), while a decline in housing costs persisted (-0.2% vs -0.2%). Core inflation, excluding food and energy, rose 1.1% yoy, after a 1.8% gain in February, which had pointed to the strongest gain since March 2019. On a monthly basis, the CPI fell 0.7%, reversing a 1.0% increase in February and marking the first decline since November, while also undershooting forecasts of a 0.2% drop.
Published on 2026-04-10

China Inflation Rate Below Estimates
China’s annual inflation eased to 1.0% in March 2026 from February’s over three-year high of 1.3%, falling short of market expectations of 1.2%. Food prices rose at a much softer pace (0.3% vs 1.7% in February), amid a sharp slowdown in fresh vegetables and fruit, alongside a steeper decline in pork prices. Meanwhile, non-food inflation eased slightly (1.2% vs 1.3%), with prices continuing to rise for clothing (1.6% vs 1.9%), healthcare (1.9% vs 1.9%), and education (1.1% vs 2.0%). Transport costs rebounded (0.9% vs -0.7%), while a decline in housing costs persisted (-0.2% vs -0.2%). On a monthly basis, the CPI fell 0.7%, reversing a 1.0% increase in February and marking the first decline since November, while also undershooting forecasts of a 0.2% drop.
Published on 2026-04-10

China Inflation Rate Below Estimates
China’s annual inflation eased to 1.0% in March 2026 from February’s over three-year high of 1.3%, falling short of market expectations of 1.2%. Food prices rose at a much softer pace (0.3% vs 1.7% in February), amid a sharp slowdown in fresh vegetables and fruit, alongside a steeper fall in pork prices. Meanwhile, non-food inflation was little changed (1.2% vs 1.3%), with prices continuing to rise for clothing (1.6% vs 1.9%), healthcare (1.9% vs 1.9%), and education (1.1% vs 2.0%). Transport costs rebounded (0.9% vs -0.7%), while a decline in housing costs persisted (-0.2% vs -0.2%). Core inflation, excluding food and energy, rose 1.1% yoy, after a 1.8% gain in February, which had pointed to the strongest gain since March 2019. China recently imposed controls on domestic fuel prices to cushion households and businesses against higher oil costs. Monthly, the CPI fell 0.7%, after a 1.0% gain in February, marking the first drop since November and undershooting forecasts of a 0.2% drop.
Published on 2026-04-10

China Inflation Rate Below Estimates
China’s annual inflation eased to 1.0% in March 2026 from February’s over three-year high of 1.3%, falling short of market expectations of 1.2%. On a monthly basis, the CPI fell 0.7%, reversing a 1.0% increase in February and marking the first decline since November, while also undershooting forecasts of a 0.2% drop.
Published on 2026-04-10

China Inflation Rate Below Estimates
China’s annual inflation eased to 1.0% in March 2026 from February’s over three-year high of 1.3%, falling short of market expectations of 1.2%. Food prices rose at a much softer pace (0.3% vs 1.7% in February), amid a sharp slowdown in fresh vegetables and fruit, alongside a steeper decline in pork prices. Meanwhile, non-food inflation was little changed (1.2% vs 1.3%), with prices continuing to rise for clothing (1.6% vs 1.9%), healthcare (1.9% vs 1.9%), and education (1.1% vs 2.0%). Transport costs rebounded (0.9% vs -0.7%), while a decline in housing costs persisted (-0.2% vs -0.2%). Core inflation, excluding food and energy, rose 1.1% yoy, after a 1.8% gain in February, which had pointed to the strongest gain since March 2019. On a monthly basis, the CPI fell 0.7%, reversing a 1.0% increase in February and marking the first decline since November, while also undershooting forecasts of a 0.2% drop.
Published on 2026-04-10

China Inflation Rate Below Estimates
China’s annual inflation eased to 1.0% in March 2026 from February’s over three-year high of 1.3%, falling short of market expectations of 1.2%. Food prices rose at a much softer pace (0.3% vs 1.7% in February), amid a sharp slowdown in fresh vegetables and fruit, alongside a steeper fall in pork prices. Meanwhile, non-food inflation was little changed (1.2% vs 1.3%), with prices continuing to rise for clothing (1.6% vs 1.9%), healthcare (1.9% vs 1.9%), and education (1.1% vs 2.0%). Transport costs rebounded (0.9% vs -0.7%), while a decline in housing costs persisted (-0.2% vs -0.2%). Core inflation, excluding food and energy, rose 1.1% yoy, after a 1.8% gain in February, which had pointed to the strongest gain since March 2019. China recently imposed controls on domestic fuel prices to cushion households and businesses against higher oil costs. Monthly, the CPI fell 0.7%, after a 1.0% gain in February, marking the first drop since November and undershooting forecasts of a 0.2% drop.
Published on 2026-04-10

China Inflation Rate Below Estimates
China’s annual inflation eased to 1.0% in March 2026 from February’s over three-year high of 1.3%, falling short of market expectations of 1.2%. Food prices rose at a much softer pace (0.3% vs 1.7% in February), amid a sharp slowdown in fresh vegetables and fruit, alongside a steeper decline in pork prices. Meanwhile, non-food inflation eased slightly (1.2% vs 1.3%), with prices continuing to rise for clothing (1.6% vs 1.9%), healthcare (1.9% vs 1.9%), and education (1.1% vs 2.0%). Transport costs rebounded (0.9% vs -0.7%), while a decline in housing costs persisted (-0.2% vs -0.2%). Core inflation, excluding food and energy, rose 1.1% yoy, after a 1.8% gain in February, which had pointed to the strongest gain since March 2019. On a monthly basis, the CPI fell 0.7%, reversing a 1.0% increase in February and marking the first decline since November, while also undershooting forecasts of a 0.2% drop.
Published on 2026-04-10

China Caps Fuel Price Hikes to Cushion Global Oil Volatility
China will keep controls on retail gasoline and diesel prices from Wednesday, April 8, to cushion the impact of volatile global oil markets, according to the National Development and Reform Commission. The move follows “significant fluctuations” in international crude prices since late March. Under Beijing’s pricing formula, fuel prices would have risen sharply, by CNY 800 per tonne for gasoline and CNY 770 for diesel, but the government limited the increases at CNY 420 and CNY 400, respectively. Authorities also instructed major state oil firms, including China National Petroleum Corporation, China Petrochemical Corporation, and China National Offshore Oil Corporation, as well as other refiners, to maintain output and logistics to ensure a stable domestic fuel supply.
Published on 2026-04-08

China Caps Fuel Price Hikes to Cushion Global Oil Volatility
China will keep controls on retail gasoline and diesel prices from Wednesday, April 8, to cushion the impact of volatile global oil markets, according to the National Development and Reform Commission. The move follows “significant fluctuations” in international crude prices since late March. Under China’s pricing formula, fuel prices would have risen sharply, by CNY 800 per tonne for gasoline and CNY 770 for diesel, but the government limited the increases at CNY 420 and CNY 400, respectively. Authorities also instructed major state oil firms, including China National Petroleum Corporation, China Petrochemical Corporation, and China National Offshore Oil Corporation, as well as other refiners, to maintain output and logistics to ensure a stable domestic fuel supply.
Published on 2026-04-08

China Caps Fuel Price Hikes to Cushion Global Oil Volatility
China will keep controls on retail gasoline and diesel prices from Wednesday, April 8, to cushion the impact of volatile global oil markets, according to the National Development and Reform Commission. The move follows “significant fluctuations” in international crude prices since late March. Under China’s pricing formula, fuel prices would have risen sharply, by CNY 800 per tonne for gasoline and CNY 770 for diesel, but the government capped the increases at CNY 420 and CNY 400, respectively. Authorities also instructed major state oil firms, including China National Petroleum Corporation, China Petrochemical Corporation, and China National Offshore Oil Corporation, as well as other refiners, to maintain output and logistics to ensure a stable domestic fuel supply.
Published on 2026-04-08

China Inflation Rate Hits 3-Year High
China’s annual inflation jumped to 1.3% in February 2026 from 0.2% in the previous month, marking the highest reading since January 2023 and exceeding market expectations of 0.8%. The increase largely reflected the impact of the Lunar New Year, which fell in mid-February this year and typically boosts holiday-related spending. Food prices logged the sharpest rise since October 2024, rebounding from a prior decline (1.7% vs -0.7% in January). Non-food inflation also accelerated notably (1.3% vs 0.4%), with upward price pressures coming from clothing (1.9% vs 1.9%), healthcare (1.9% vs 1.7%), and education (2.0% vs flat reading). At the same time, transport costs fell much more slowly (-0.7% vs -3.4%), even as housing prices continued to decline (-0.2% vs -0.1%). On a monthly basis, the CPI climbed 1.0%, quickening from 0.2% in January and pointing to the largest monthly increase since January 2021.
Published on 2026-03-09

China Inflation Rate Hits 3-Year High
China’s annual inflation jumped to 1.3% in February 2026 from 0.2% in the previous month, marking the highest reading since January 2023 and exceeding market expectations of 0.8%. The increase largely reflected the impact of the Lunar New Year, which fell in mid-February this year and typically boosts holiday-related spending. Food prices logged the sharpest rise since October 2024, rebounding from a prior decline (1.7% vs -0.7% in January). Non-food inflation also accelerated notably (1.3% vs 0.4%), with upward price pressures coming from clothing (1.9% vs 1.9%), healthcare (1.9% vs 1.7%), and education (2.0% vs flat reading). At the same time, transport costs fell much more slowly (-0.7% vs -3.4%), even as housing prices continued to decline (-0.2% vs -0.1%). Meanwhile, core inflation, excluding food and energy, rose 1.8% yoy, the strongest since March 2019. The CPI rose 1.0% in January, quickening from 0.2% in January and pointing to the largest monthly increase since January 2021.
Published on 2026-03-09

China Inflation Rate Hits 3-Year High
China’s annual inflation jumped to 1.3% in February 2026 from 0.2% in the previous month, marking the highest reading since January 2023 and exceeding market expectations of 0.8%. The increase largely reflected the impact of the Lunar New Year, which fell in mid-February this year and typically boosts holiday-related spending. Food prices logged the sharpest rise since October 2024, rebounding from a prior decline (1.7% vs -0.7% in January). Non-food inflation also accelerated notably (1.3% vs 0.4%), suggesting broader price pressures alongside the seasonal demand surge. On a monthly basis, the CPI climbed 1.0%, quickening from 0.2% in January and pointing to the largest monthly increase since January 2021.
Published on 2026-03-09

China Inflation Rate Hits 3-Year High
China’s annual inflation jumped to 1.3% in February 2026 from 0.2% in January, marking the highest print since January 2023 and topping market expectations of 0.8%. The increase largely reflected the impact of the Lunar New Year, which fell in mid-February this year. Food prices logged the sharpest rise since October 2024, rebounding from a prior decline (1.7% vs -0.7% in January), boosted by an acceleration in the cost of fresh vegetables and a softer drop in pork prices. Non-food inflation picked up strongly (1.3% vs 0.4%), with upward price pressures coming from clothing (1.9% vs 1.9%), healthcare (1.9% vs 1.7%), and education (2.0% vs flat reading). Meantime, transport costs fell much more slowly (-0.7% vs -3.4%), even as a drop in housing prices accelerated a bit (-0.2% vs -0.1%). Core inflation, excluding food and energy, rose 1.8% yoy, the strongest since March 2019. Monthly, the CPI rose 1.0%, up from 0.2% in January and pointing to the largest monthly gain since February 2024.
Published on 2026-03-09

China Inflation Rate Highest in Over 3 Years
China’s annual inflation jumped to 1.3% in February 2026 from 0.2% in January, marking the highest print since January 2023 and topping market expectations of 0.8%. The increase largely reflected the impact of the Lunar New Year, which fell in mid-February this year. Food prices logged the sharpest rise since October 2024, rebounding from a prior decline (1.7% vs -0.7% in January), boosted by an acceleration in the cost of fresh vegetables and a softer drop in pork prices. Non-food inflation picked up strongly (1.3% vs 0.4%), with upward price pressures coming from clothing (1.9% vs 1.9%), healthcare (1.9% vs 1.7%), and education (2.0% vs flat reading). Meantime, transport costs fell much more slowly (-0.7% vs -3.4%), even as a drop in housing prices accelerated a bit (-0.2% vs -0.1%). Core inflation, excluding food and energy, rose 1.8% yoy, the strongest since March 2019. Monthly, the CPI rose 1.0%, up from 0.2% in January and pointing to the largest monthly gain since February 2024.
Published on 2026-03-09

China Inflation Rate Highest in Over 3 Years
China’s annual inflation jumped to 1.3% in February 2026 from 0.2% in January, marking the highest print since January 2023 and topping market expectations of 0.8%. The increase largely reflected the impact of the Lunar New Year, which fell in mid-February this year. Food prices logged the sharpest rise since October 2024, rebounding from a prior decline (1.7% vs -0.7% in January), boosted by an acceleration in the cost of fresh vegetables and a softer drop in pork prices. Non-food inflation picked up strongly (1.3% vs 0.4%), with upward price pressures coming from clothing (1.9% vs 1.9%), healthcare (1.9% vs 1.7%), and education (2.0% vs flat reading). Meantime, transport costs fell much more slowly (-0.7% vs -3.4%), even as a drop in housing prices accelerated a bit (-0.2% vs -0.1%). Core inflation, excluding food and energy, rose 1.8% yoy, the strongest since March 2019. Monthly, the CPI rose 1.0%, up from 0.2% in January and pointing to the largest monthly gain since February 2024.
Published on 2026-03-09

China Inflation Rate Hits 3-Year High
China’s annual inflation jumped to 1.3% in February 2026 from 0.2% in January, marking the highest print since January 2023 and topping market expectations of 0.8%. The increase largely reflected the impact of the Lunar New Year, which fell in mid-February this year. Food prices logged the sharpest rise since October 2024, rebounding from a prior decline (1.7% vs -0.7% in January), boosted by an acceleration in the cost of fresh vegetables and a softer drop in pork prices. Non-food inflation picked up strongly (1.3% vs 0.4%), with upward price pressures coming from clothing (1.9% vs 1.9%), healthcare (1.9% vs 1.7%), and education (2.0% vs flat reading). Meantime, transport costs fell much more slowly (-0.7% vs -3.4%), even as a drop in housing prices accelerated a bit (-0.2% vs -0.1%). Core inflation, excluding food and energy, rose 1.8% yoy, the strongest since March 2019. Monthly, the CPI rose 1.0%, up from 0.2% in January and pointing to the largest monthly gain since January 2021.
Published on 2026-03-09

China Inflation Rate Below Expectations
China’s annual inflation rate eased to 0.2% in January 2026 from 0.8% in the previous month, marking the lowest reading since October and falling short of market estimates of 0.4%. Food prices fell for the first time in three months (-0.7% vs 1.1% in December), driven by a further decline in pork prices. Meanwhile, non-food inflation slowed sharply (0.4% vs 0.8%). Monthly, the CPI rose 0.2%, the same pace as in December but below the consensus of 0.3%.
Published on 2026-02-11

China Inflation Rate Below Expectations
China’s annual inflation eased to 0.2% in January 2026 from 0.8% a month earlier, marking the lowest print since October and falling short of market expectations of 0.4%. Food prices fell for the first time in three months (-0.7% vs 1.1%), led by declines in pork, eggs, and cooking oils. Non-food inflation also slowed (0.4% vs 0.8%), despite ongoing consumer trade-in programs. Healthcare inflation moderated slightly (1.7% vs 1.8%), education costs were flat after a 0.9% rise previously, while housing (-0.1% vs -0.2%) and transport (-3.4% vs -2.6%) saw deeper declines. Clothing prices, however, accelerated (1.9% vs 1.7%). NBS statistician Dong Lijuan said the moderation in January inflation was mainly due to a high base and sharper energy price drops. Meanwhile, core inflation, excluding food and energy, rose 0.8% year-on-year, the weakest in six months after 1.2% in December and November. Monthly, CPI increased 0.2%, matching the December level but undershooting the 0.3% consensus.
Published on 2026-02-11