The steeper deflation was primarily led by prices of the non-core items
Housing & furnishing (-5.0%; Jan: -0.3%): marked the largest fall in nine months as the government provided subsidies for electricity and water bills in February and March.
Food & non-alcoholic beverages (-0.4%; Jan: 0.6%): slipped into deflation for the first time since Feb 2018 on lower prices of vegetables (-4.3%; Jan: 9.7%) amid easing drought conditions.
Transportation & communication (1.0%; Jan: -1.9%): rebounded to register the first inflation in 13 months in line with the surge in global oil price (USD62.28/barrel; Jan: USD54.77/barrel).
Higher inflation trend across advanced and developing regions
KR (1.1%; Jan: 0.6%): surged to its highest in over a year, driven by higher oil and food prices amid increased demand during the Lunar New Year holiday and shortages of eggs due to the spread of avian influenza.
Euro area (0.9%; Jan: 0.9%): remained in the positive territory, supported by the elevated energy prices.
Prices may remain pressured in March on the continuation of the utility bills subsidies. Afterwards, inflation is expected to rebound due to the lower base in the preceding year, extended fiscal support, spike in energy prices and the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions.
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) is expected to stand pat on policy rate (0.5%) underscored by the prospect of economic recovery amid the ongoing vaccination drive.
Be the first to like this. Showing 0 of 0 comments
Post a Comment
People who like this
Featured Posts
MQ Trader
Introducing MY's First IPO Fund for Sophisticated Investors!
MQ Chat
New Update. Discover investment communities that resonate with your ideas
MQ Trader
M & A Value Partners IPO Equity Fund has been launched - Targeted 13% Return p.a
Latest Videos
0:17
New IPO: The onshore and offshore support services provider for the O&G industry, Steel Hawk Bhd aims to list on the Ace Market!
MQ Trader 5201 views | 5 d ago
0:17
New IPO: The largest mini-market player and a leading groceries retailer in Malaysia, 99 Speed Mart Retail Holdings Bhd aims to list on the Main Market!
This book is the result of the author's many years of experience and observation throughout his 26 years in the stockbroking industry. It was written for general public to learn to invest based on facts and not on fantasies or hearsay....