• Inflation crept up to +2.3% yoy; 0.2% mom in April

• Food inflation accelerated to +4.1%.; Transport inflation remained stable

• Core inflation jumped by +2.1% yoy

• Inflation is back with a vengeance, sending the cost of living to record highs

• Inflationary pressure will intensify in the near term

Malaysia’s CPI crept up to 2.3% yoy in April compared to March’s rise (+2.2%). This was the fifteenth straight month of inflation since February 2021 and the fastest in 3 months. The inflation was attributable to higher global oil prices and improving domestic demand, led by food inflation, fuel, and higher discretionary expenses. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose by 0.2% compared to March’s 0.3% gains.

The food price index accelerated to 4.1% yoy (Mar: +4.0%; Feb: +3.7%; Jan: +3.6%), while the increased in the non-food price index was faster at 1.4% yoy (Mar: +1.3%; Feb: +1.5%; Jan: +1.7%). CPI without fuel, which covers all goods and services except RON95, RON97 and Diesel, went up by 2.2% in April (Mar: +2.0%; Feb: +1.9%; Jan: +1.7%). Meanwhile, non-durable goods remained unchanged by 3.0% yoy (Mar: +3.0%; Feb: +3.6%; Jan: +4.3%), while durable goods price increased slower by 2.7% in April (Mar: +3.0%; Feb: +2.4%; Jan: +1.8%). The prices of semi-durable goods grew marginally in April (Apr: +0.4%; Mar: +0.2%; Feb: +0.1%; Jan: +0.1%).

CPI for the period of January to April 2022 increased 2.2% compared to the same period last year. The incline was attributed to Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+3.9%) followed by Transport (+3.8%).

Source: BIMB Securities Research - 26 May 2022