Hong Kong Inflation Remains Stable In March

(RTTNews) - Hong Kong's consumer price inflation held steady in March after easing in the previous month, data released by the Census and Statistics Department showed on Wednesday.

The consumer price index, or CPI, climbed 1.4 percent year-over-year in March, the same as in February.

The rise in inflation was curbed mainly by the decreases in inbound and outbound transport fares and the charges for package tours.

Food prices rose only 0.3 percent annually in March, while utility costs surged by 14.0 percent. On the other hand, clothing and footwear prices showed a decline of 2.8 percent.

Netting out the effects of all the government's one-off relief measures, underlying inflation was 1.0 percent versus 1.3 percent in February.

The average monthly rate of increase for the 3-month period ending in March was 0 percent.

"Looking ahead, overall inflation should remain modest in the near term," a government spokesman said.

"External price pressures should be broadly in check, though escalating trade conflicts continue to warrant attention."