The Monetary Authority of Singapore and Trade and Industry Ministry lowered their forecast for overall inflation for the year to between 4.5% and 5.5%, from the 5.5% to 6.5% previously. — Reuters
SINGAPORE: Inflation in Singapore cooled for a second straight month as prices of food, services and private transport rose at a slower pace, prompting the government to lower its forecast for overall inflation for 2023.
If the trend lasts, private economists, who say the moderation is expected, believe that core inflation could go down to 3% or lower for the full year.
Core inflation, which excludes private transport and accommodation costs in order to better reflect the expenses of Singapore households, dropped to 4.2% year-on-year in June, from 4.7% the previous month.
The June figure matches that from a Reuters poll of economists.
This brings core inflation to its lowest since mid-2022.
Headline inflation, or the overall consumer price index, also eased to 4.5%, from 5.1% in May.
The Reuters survey had pegged headline inflation to be 4.55% in June.
The decline came on the back of a fall in private transport inflation led by smaller hikes in car prices and a steeper fall in petrol costs.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and Trade and Industry Ministry (MTI) in its report on Monday lowered their forecast for overall inflation for the year to between 4.5% and 5.5%, from the 5.5% to 6.5% previously.
Core inflation estimates remain the same, at between 3.5% and 4.5%.
MAS and MTI said core inflation is expected to moderate further in the second half of 2023, as imported costs fall from year-ago levels and the current tightness in the domestic labour market eases.
“There is a good probability of core inflation subsiding below the 3% handle by the fourth quarter,” OCBC chief economist Selena Ling said, adding that the easing of inflation is “a positive affirmation of the MAS decision to pause tightening of monetary policy back in April”.
She noted that core inflation is taking a bit longer to return to the 2.5% to 3% year-on-year handle due to a still tight labour market, resilient domestic demand and the return of more overseas visitors, among other factors.
Oxford Economics senior economist Alex Holmes said the month-on-month figures, which show how much momentum there still is in prices, are key at this stage.
“While the headline consumer price index was up 0.5% month-on-month in June, that was mainly due to transport prices, which are excluded in the core measure.
“Core inflation rose only 0.2% month-on-month, which is the equivalent of about 2% at an annualised rate – close to normal.“If this trend continues, we can expect core inflation of 3% by the end of the year,” he noted.
DBS economist Chua Han Teng said he expects core inflation to ease further in the second half of 2023, and that “it looks on track to meet the MAS’ end-2023 forecast range of 2.5% to 3%”.
“Factors supporting our view include a higher base comparison a year ago, reduction in imported prices, gradual easing in domestic labour cost pressure and the dampening impact from monetary policy,” he said. — The Straits Times/ANN
