Apr Consumer Prices Up 0.7%

Overall consumer prices rose 0.7% in April year-on-year, larger than the 0.5% growth in March, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

Netting out the effects of the Government's one-off relief measures, April’s underlying inflation rate went up 0.3% on a year earlier, marginally larger than the 0.2% recorded in March.

The Government said the 0.3% increase in April mainly reflected higher local transportation prices amid the smaller Mass Transit Railway fare rebate and the bus fare hike.

Meanwhile, price pressures on other major Consumer Price Index components remained very mild.

April saw year-on-year price increases for electricity, gas and water, food, transport, meals bought away from home, clothing and footwear as well as miscellaneous services.

Prices for housing, alcoholic drinks and tobacco as well as miscellaneous goods went down while that for durable goods remained unchanged.