Headline inflation in October climbed to 6.2% yoy vs 5.5% in September. This was the first time inflation rose above the upper end of RBI’s 2-6% target range since August 2023. Food and beverage prices, 46% of the weight in the CPI index, were once again the main driver, mainly due to higher vegetable prices, Commerzbank’s FX analyst Charlie Lay notes.

Few signs of a mark growth slowdown

“Core inflation, which strips out food and energy, was just slightly higher at 3.7% yoy vs 3.5% previously. In the first 10 months of the year, headline inflation averaged 4.9% and core inflation was at 3.4%. The uptick in headline inflation is expected to be transitory as the good monsoon this year should lead to lower vegetable and other food prices into year-end.”

“On the growth front, industrial production in September picked up 3.1% yoy vs -0.1% in August. Encouragingly, capital goods production was firmer at 2.8%, suggesting a supportive investment environment. There were no signs of a slowdown in domestic demand as consumer durable production were firmer at 6.5% yoy.”