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CPI inches up to 5.4%; WPI disinflation at -2%
Seasonal price rise nearing end; expect RBI rate cut in Feb-16
14 December 2015
The Economy Observer
Nov-15 Inflation
The Nov-15 CPI inflation at 5.4% was broadly in line with expectations.
The average CPI for the first five months of FY16 stands at 4.7%.
The seasonal price rise is nearing end, as evident from lower MoM
increase of 0.4%. Higher fuel group inflation had a larger role in it while
the acceleration in food and services inflation was pure base effect.
Rural CPI inflation stayed significantly above its urban counterpart.
Core CPI remained range-bound at 4.6%.
Nov-15 WPI at -2% displayed entrenched disinflation for 13 months.
However, the extent of disinflation dropped significantly from -3.8% in
Oct-15.
The divergence between CPI and WPI now stands at 7.4%, down
sharply from the peak of 9% in Sep-15.
Pulses added 56bp to WPI inflation and 107bp to CPI inflation. Ex-
pulses, CPI stood at 4.3% while WPI would be at -2.5%.
Nov-15 CPI stood at 5.4%, YTD at 4.7%
MoM restricted to 0.4%; acceleration
mainly due to fuel group
Food and services rise due to base effect
Rural inflation stands higher
Core CPI remains range-bound at 4.6%
Nov-15 WPI at -2% displayed entrenched
th
disinflation for 13 consecutive month
Price rise limited to non-core group
Core WPI at -1.9% near all-time low
Divergence between CPI and WPI at 7.4%,
much lower than its 9% peak of Sep-15
Pulses add 107bp to CPI inflation and 56bp
to WPI inflation
We expect RBI to cut rates in its Feb 2
policy event
We expect RBI to cut rates again in its February 2, 2016 policy meet when US FED hike-related newsflow will be behind
us and Dec-15 inflation data reflects moderation of seasonal price momentum and impact of lower global commodity
prices.
I. CPI inflation inches up to 5.4%, although MoM moderates
Nov-15 CPI at 5.4%:
The Nov-15 CPI-Rural Urban (CPI-RU) inflation was in line
with expectations (MOSL: 5.2%, Consensus: 5.4%).
Seasonal price rise nearing end:
The extent of seasonal increase in retail prices
moderated (MoM 0.4% in Nov-15 from 0.6% in Oct-15). Thus, the acceleration
reflected base effect to a large extent.
Rural inflation much higher:
Rural inflation at 6% remained much above 4.5% of
urban inflation although both accelerated. The MoM inflation was higher for
rural CPI too.
Core CPI remains range-bound at 4.6%; services uptick reflects base:
Core CPI
inflation at 4.6% remained well anchored below 5%. While the services inflation
inched up YoY, reflecting base effect, the MoM inflation moderated.
Higher inflation for food and fuel group:
Food inflation accelerated, primarily
reflecting the base effect. On the other hand, MoM fuel inflation increased but a
favorable base arrested the YoY inflation. Sharp drop in international oil price
would reverse this trend in Dec-15 again, thereby moderating inflation.
Dipankar Mitra
(Dipankar.Mitra@MotilalOswal.com); +91 22 3982 5405
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