Philippines inflation near 14-year high; more rate hikes seen
Philippine inflation accelerated to its fastest pace in nearly 14 years in October and the rate is likely to rise further, the statistics agency said on Friday, backing expectations the central bank will keep tightening monetary policy.
The consumer price index climbed 7.7 percent in October from a year earlier, the fastest rise since December 2008, driven by price gains in key commodity groups, particularly food and non-alcoholic beverages. It outpaced the 7.1 percent median forecast in a Reuters poll.
The headline figure also came in near the top end of the central bank’s 7.1 percent to 7.9 percent forecast for the month.
Inflation in January-October averaged 5.4 percent, well outside the central bank’s full-year target range of 2 percent to 4 percent.
Indicating broadening price pressures, core inflation – which strips out volatile food and fuel – hit 5.9 percent in October from an upwardly revised 5 percent in September, the Philippine Statistics Authority said.
The statistics agency sees a “substantial probability” that inflation could increase further in November, partly because of the impact of a recent destructive tropical storm.
Reacting to the data, the economic planning agency said the government was committed to providing immediate relief to cushion the impact of rising inflation.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Felipe Medalla said on Thursday the central bank will hike its key interest rates by 75 basis points at its Nov. 17 policy meeting to match the latest monetary tightening by the U.S. Federal Reserve. Read More…
