Overall consumer prices rose 2.4% in October year-on-year, compared to September's 2% increase, the Census & Statistics Department said today.
Netting out the effects of the Government's one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rate of increase in the Composite CPI, or the underlying inflation rate, last month was 2.3%, also larger than the previous month.
Year-on-year increases in prices were recorded for food, meals bought away from home, housing, miscellaneous services, miscellaneous goods, alcohol and tobacco, while year-on-year decreases were recorded for electricity, gas and water, durable goods, clothing and footwear.
The department said the slightly higher consumer price inflation in October mainly reflected the special fuel rebate in electricity dissipation during the month.
It also forecast that inflation should remain contained in the near term given the receding external price pressures and the local economy's modest growth pace.
