* Oct CPI +0.2 m/m s/adj vs +0.2 pct f/cast
* Oct CPI +5.4 pct y/y vs +5.2 pct f/cast
* MAS's core inflation measure +0.3 pct m/m; +2.3 pct y/y
SINGAPORE, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Singapore's Department
of Statistics released consumer price index data for October on
Wednesday:
PCT OCT SEP AUG JUL JUN MAY APR MAR
*MoM 0.2 0.0 0.5 0.6 0.4 0.6 0.0 0.3
YoY 5.4 5.5 5.7 5.4 5.2 4.5 4.5 5.0
* Data is seasonally adjusted
CONTEXT:
- Transportation prices rose 10.5 percent from a year ago,
while housing costs gained 9.9 percent year-on-year.
- The central bank's core inflation measure, which excludes
changes in the price of cars, accommodation and other categories
influenced by government policy, rose 0.3 percent
month-on-month, after coming in unchanged in September.
- The core inflation measure rose 2.3 percent from a year
ago, accelerating from a gain of 2.1 percent in September.
- Prices in Singapore rose 5.2 percent in January to October
from a year ago.
- The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) expects
inflation of 2.5 to 3.5 percent next year, compared to around 5
percent this year.
MARKET IMPACT:
- October's higher-than-expected inflation figure suggests
the central bank has less room to ease its tightening bias
slightly. According to most estimates, the Singapore dollar is
already trading near the bottom of its trading band.
- In its Oct 14 policy statement, MAS retained its bias for
a modest and gradual appreciation of the Singapore dollar, but
said it would reduce the pace of appreciation.
(Reporting by Kevin Lim)
