• Inflation down 1.4% yoy; core inflation up 1.1%
   
• Food prices rose at a slower pace

• Transport costs registered smaller deflation

• Core inflation rose to 1.1% yoy during the month

• Global inflation cooled further in August

• Deflationary pressures to ease further

Malaysia’s inflation contracted by 1.4% yoy in August (Jul: -1.3%), recording its sixth consecutive month of negative price growth on the back of the COVID-19 crisis, as prices declined for transport, clothing and furnishings, household equipment and routine maintenance. Meanwhile, prices of the rest of CPI components were broadly stable last month. CPI without fuel, which covers all goods and services except RON95, RON97 and Diesel, is at a positive rate of 0.2% in August. Prices of durable goods increased 2.8% in August (Jul: +2.5%; Jun: +2.7%; May: +2.9%). Meanwhile, prices of non-durable goods declined 5.7% (Jul: -5.4%; Jun: -6.7%; May: -9.3%) whilst prices of semi-durable goods continued to decline by 0.4% yoy (Jul : -0.5%; Jun: - 0.8%; May: -0.7%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices went up by 0.2% in August, the least since April, after a 0.7% gain in July.

Meanwhile, CPI for the period of January to August 2020 decreased 1.0% as compared to the same period last year.

Source: BIMB Securities Research - 24 Sept 2020