Indonesian Inflation Eases To 2.28%, Lowest In 19 Months

(RTTNews) - Indonesia's consumer price inflation moderated in September to the lowest level in just over one-and-a-half years, largely amid a sharp slowdown in transport costs, data from the statistics bureau showed on Monday.

The consumer price index climbed 2.28 percent year-on-year in September, slower than the 3.27 percent increase in August. Economists had expected inflation to ease to 2.2 percent.

The latest rate of inflation was the weakest since February last year, when prices had risen 2.06 percent.

Moreover, the inflation rate has remained within the central bank's target range of 2-4 percent.

Data also showed that core inflation softened to 2.00 percent in September from 2.18 percent a month ago. Economists had forecast a growth rate of 2.08 percent.

Transport charges grew at a slower pace of 0.99 percent annually in September, after a 9.65 percent surge in August.

On the other hand, prices for food, beverages, and tobacco increased at a faster rate of 4.17 percent from last year versus a 3.51 percent gain in the prior month.

On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.19 percent in September, versus an expected increase of 0.14 percent. The core consumer price index edged up 0.12 percent.