2017.11.2104:23:00UTC+00Hong Kong Inflation Accelerates Slightly In October

Hong Kong's consumer price inflation accelerated marginally in October, after easing in the previous two months, figures from the Census and Statistics Department showed Tuesday.

The consumer price index climbed 1.5 percent year-over-year in October, just above the 1.4 percent increase in September. The measure has been rising since March.

The underlying inflation, which excludes one-off relief measures of the government, also rose to 1.5 percent from 1.4 percent.

Food prices, excluding meals bought away from home, grew 3.3 percent annually in October and housing costs increased by 2.4 percent. Meanwhile, prices of durable goods declined 2.9 percent.

"Looking ahead, considering the slow increases in import prices and moderate local cost pressure, inflation risks should remain limited in the near term," a government spokesman said.

"The Government will continue to monitor the inflation developments closely, particularly its impact on the lower-income people."