• January inflation rose 0.1% yoy and 0.3% mom
• Core inflation rose at constant pace of 0.7% yoy for the fourth straight month
• Upsurged in global oil prices pushed global inflation higher
• No more deflation in upcoming months

Malaysia’s CPI increased marginally by 0.1% yoy in February compared to -0.2% yoy in the previous month. This was the first inflation registered, marked the ending of the eleventh straight month of deflation since March 2020. The increased in the CPI was mainly due to higher prices of fuel, selected food items, alcoholic beverages, and furnishing & household equipment amid the ongoing containment measures and electricity bill discounts during the month. On a monthly basis, consumer prices grew at a slower pace of 0.3% in February, after a 1.2% mom rise in January. Year to-date, headline inflation averaged -0.1% in the first two months of 2021 (Jan-Feb 2020: +1.5%).

Non-food price index decreased for the twelfth consecutive month by -0.6% yoy (Jan: -1.1%), while food price index increased by +1.4% yoy (Jan: +1.5%). CPI without fuel, which covers all goods and services except RON95, RON97 and Diesel, increased 0.4% in February (Jan: +0.5%; Dec: -0.1%; Nov: -0.1%). Meanwhile, increased in durable goods price was slightly slower at 1.7% yoy (Jan: +1.9%), while prices of semi and non-durable goods declined at slower pace of -0.2% yoy and -1.1% yoy respectively (Jan: -0.2% and -2.0%).

Source: BIMB Securities Research - 25 Mar 2021