Hong Kong CPI figures for October just released show consumer prices rose by 2.4 per cent and the underlying inflation rate by 2.3 per cent.
A spokesperson for the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) said the larger than usual increase in October was mainly due to dissipation of the special fuel rebate in electricity which was in effect throughout September 2015.
In September, the CPI rose 2.0 per cent and the underlying inflation rate by 2.1 per cent.
Among the various CPI components, year on year increases in prices were recorded in October for food excluding meals bought away from home (4.2 per cent), meals bought away from home (4.1 per cent) and alcoholic drinks and tobacco (1.0 per cent).
Year on year decreases in prices were recorded for durable goods (-5.8 per cent) and clothing and footwear (-1.2 per cent).
For the 12 months ended October 2015, the Composite CPI was on average 3.5 per cent higher than in the preceding 12-month period.