2013.11.2205:18:00UTC+00Malaysia October Inflation Rises More Than Expected

Malaysia's consumer price inflation accelerated in October, and exceeded economists' expectations, latest data showed Friday.

The consumer price index moved up 2.8 percent in October from the same month of last year, following September's 2.6 percent gain, the Department of Statistics said. Economists were looking for an inflation rate of 2.7 percent.

Inflation was influenced by a 3.7 percent growth in food and non-alcoholic beverages prices, and a 1.8 percent gain in housing costs and utility prices. There was a 4.9 percent increase in transportation costs during the month, and a 0.4 percent fall in clothing and footwear prices.

On a monthly basis, the consumer price index moved up 0.4 percent in October. During the January-October period, prices advanced 1.9 percent from the corresponding period of last year, data showed.