KUALA LUMPUR: The Consumer Price Index, the official barometer used to measure the inflation, is expected to indicate stability in price pressures for the month of August.
A Business Times poll expects the CPI to average 3.2 per cent year-on-year on par with the 3.2 per cent reading in July.
The Statistics Department will release the latest reading today.
Two other Asian economies have recorded growth in inflation namely the Philippines whose core inflation rose to a 17-month high while Taiwan also recorded a higher growth outside the expectation of its central bank.
RAM Holdings said the 3.2 per cent growth expected for August is mainly attributed to the food and non alcoholic beverages, transport and housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels’ sub components.
“Core inflation is expected to have moderate influence on upward price pressures for this month, with policy driven price changes still contributing to the bulk of positive price momentum,”said the rating agency.
Consumer Price Index Forecast (% year-on-year)
Credit Suisse 3.4
DBS Bank 3.3
HSBC Bank 3.2
Kenanga Investment Bank 3.2
Maybank Investment Bank 3.2
MIDF Investment Bank 3.2
Nomura Research 3.1
RAM Holdings 3.2
Average 3.2