Page 4 - Latest Updates on Inflation
China's April producer inflation hits 45-month high on energy price shock
The producer price index (PPI) increased 2.8 per cent from a year earlier, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data showed
 "China's April producer inflation hits 45-month high on energy price shock")
FMCG firms bracing for another round of price increases amid inflation
Executives of FMCG makers, which have already gone for recent price hikes of around 3 to 5%, in latest earnings calls have indicated either ongoing price increases or readiness to raise prices further
 "FMCG firms bracing for another round of price increases amid inflation")
India's April consumer inflation likely rose to 3.8% on higher fuel costs
Indian companies raised prices of LPG, widely used as a cooking fuel in households, in March after the West Asia conflict disrupted energy supplies, an effect economists said likely carried into April
 "India's April consumer inflation likely rose to 3.8% on higher fuel costs")
Asia's heat waves spell double trouble for economies hit by oil price shock
Inflation accelerated to multiyear highs across much of Asia, latest figures showed, led by higher transport, logistics and utility costs
 "Asia's heat waves spell double trouble for economies hit by oil price shock")
India may consider lower inflation target, narrower band: RBI Deputy Guv
The government, after consultation with the RBI, has notified the inflation target framework for a five year period through March 31, 2031
 "India may consider lower inflation target, narrower band: RBI Deputy Guv")
Hidden cost of war on wealth: Capital compounding may be less forgiving
Instead of panic, respond with preparedness; keep separate money pools of money for short-, medium-, and long-term needs
 "Hidden cost of war on wealth: Capital compounding may be less forgiving")
Best of BS Opinion: India's FTA with New Zealand shows agile deal-making
From India's FTA strategy and Sun Pharma's global ambitions to LPG shortages, West Asia risks and Asean ties, here are the key insights from today's Opinion page
 "Best of BS Opinion: India's FTA with New Zealand shows agile deal-making")
Heatwaves, weak monsoon and oil surge may push India's inflation higher
This year's adverse weather conditions will likely push inflation above 5 per cent in the fiscal year beginning April 1, exceeding the RBI's projection of 4.6 per cent
 "Heatwaves, weak monsoon and oil surge may push India's inflation higher")
'Growth-inflation tradeoff likely to have shifted adversely for near term'
RBI MPC member flags adverse shift in growth-inflation balance, warns of rising policy risks amid global uncertainty and persistent inflation expectations
 "'Growth-inflation tradeoff likely to have shifted adversely for near term'")
Is India's inflation targeting sufficiently capturing the digital economy?
As digital payments reshape consumption patterns, questions arise over whether India's CPI-based inflation targeting adequately reflects real transaction prices in a rapidly evolving economy
West Asia crisis: Supply woes could trigger demand shock, says RBI Bulletin
War, weak monsoon raise upside risks to inflation
 "West Asia crisis: Supply woes could trigger demand shock, says RBI Bulletin")
External debt and inflation within target: RBI governor Sanjay Malhotra
Malhotra further highlighted India's continued commitment to regulatory reforms and enhanced ease of access and operations for foreign investors
 "External debt and inflation within target: RBI governor Sanjay Malhotra")
India fiscal deficit may breach target, rise to 4.5% in FY27: BMI
Fitch warns India's fiscal deficit may exceed the FY27 target due to higher subsidies and policy support, while Moody's sees rising inflation and unemployment risks
 "India fiscal deficit may breach target, rise to 4.5% in FY27: BMI")
Margin concerns and high valuations may cap gains for Nestle India
Nestle India reported strong Q4 growth, but rising raw material costs, sustained ad spends and high valuations may limit upside despite volume-led gains
 "Margin concerns and high valuations may cap gains for Nestle India")
India can sustain growth despite crude at $90-100 per barrel: Assocham
India can sustain economic growth despite crude prices in the $90-100 per barrel range, supported by strong consumption, infrastructure spending and macroeconomic resilience
 "India can sustain growth despite crude at $90-100 per barrel: Assocham")
India's unemployment to tick up, inflation to rise in 2026: Moody's
Moody's Analytics projects India's unemployment rate to edge up to 7 per cent in 2026, while inflation may rise to 4.5 per cent, the highest among Asia-Pacific peers
 "India's unemployment to tick up, inflation to rise in 2026: Moody's")
UK inflation rises to 3.3% in March as Iran war impact begins to hit
The British central bank is expected to keep borrowing costs on hold on April 30 at the end of its next scheduled Monetary Policy Committee meeting
 "UK inflation rises to 3.3% in March as Iran war impact begins to hit")
Second-round effects of supply shocks a real concern, says RBI governor
Forex intervention as needed; not committing to indefensible peg: Malhotra
 "Second-round effects of supply shocks a real concern, says RBI governor")
'Iran war may be as disruptive for India as Covid; long-term impact likely'
Although the government is sticking to its forecasts of 6.8 per cent-7.2 per cent for the fiscal year through March 2027, several economists have already started to downgrade their projections
 "'Iran war may be as disruptive for India as Covid; long-term impact likely'")
Fuel pushes March wholesale inflation to 3.88%; highest in 41 months
The increased rate of inflation in March was primarily due to a jump in prices of crude petroleum & natural gas, other manufacturing, non-food articles, manufacture of basic metals and food articles
 "Fuel pushes March wholesale inflation to 3.88%; highest in 41 months")