Hong Kong's inflation rate slowed in September to 2.7 percent, official data showed yesterday.
The 2.7 percent overall increase in the consumer price index compares with 4.2 percent in August and is due to the government's one-off public housing rent payment relief measures in August last year. Without the impact of such measures, September underlying inflation rate was 2.3 percent against 2.1 percent in August.Electricity, gas and water bills saw the highest increase of 10 percent in the composite CPI in September, due mainly to the absence last year of a fuel rebate offer by CLP Holdings (0002). Cost of housing rose by 4.2 percent, while meals were up by 2.9 percent. Alcohol drinks and tobacco together with food rose by 2.2 percent.
Inflation rate between January and September this year rose by 2.8 percent from a year earlier.
