On a month-on-month basis, November inflation increased by 0.2%. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
November inflation ticked up to 5.2%, according to data released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) on Wednesday.
This is up from inflation of 5.1% recorded for October.
RMB Global Markets Research head Nema Ramkhelawan-Bhana expected inflation figures to be unchanged at 5.1%, due to “relatively stable” fuel prices.
The main contributors to inflation were alcoholic beverages and tobacco which increased to 4.8%, year-on-year, followed by miscellaneous goods and services which increased by 5.5% year-on-year.
On a month-on-month basis, November inflation increased by 0.2%. The main contributors to monthly inflation were food and non-alcoholic beverages, up 0.4% and transport up 0.6%.
In November inflation for goods increased by 5.3% year-on-year, from 5.1% in October, and the inflation for services was unchanged at 5.1% year-on-year, according to Stats SA.
Stats SA tweeted that fuel inflation is up 23.1% compared to a year ago.
Retail sales data for October will be released at 13:00. NKC analysts expect sales growth to accelerate to 2.5%, from 0.7% recorded in September.
US consumer inflation data will also be released later with expectations that it will decline to 2.2% from 2.5%, given weaker energy prices in November, according to NKC. — Fin 24