Retail inflation expected to rise further: Experts

NEW DELHI: Retail inflation, which touched a seven-month high in October, is expected to rise further and cross the 4 per cent mark this month, driven by rise in vegetable and oil prices, experts say.

According to global financial services majors like Nomura, BOFAML and Morgan Stanley, price pressures are likely to build further in the coming months following a cyclical recovery in the economy and rise in vegetable and oil prices.

"We expect CPI inflation to rise above 4 per cent in November and stay above the RBI'S target of 4 per cent through 2018," Nomura said in a research note. Stronger food and fuel inflation pushed up headline CPI inflation in October to a 7-month high of 3.58 per cent.

According to BOFAML, November CPI inflation is likely to be around 4.5 per cent.

It however added that government action, like importing onions and containing hoarding, will be far more effective in containing food prices.

Retail inflation has been rising consistently since June amid a slowdown in factory output measured on Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

According to Morgan Stanley economists, besides the rise in food and oil prices, further implementation of Hrarelated hikes by more states and across sectors will also fuel inflationary pressures.

"In the near term, upside risks to inflation could arise due to a further rise in global oil prices, whereas recently announced cut in GST (Goods and Services Tax) rates for most mass consumption items could provide some respite," the global brokerage firm said in a report.

Retail inflation and GDP growth print due later this month are two main data points the Reserve Bank considers for setting the key interest rate.

The Reserve Bank of India, in its policy review meet on October 4, kept benchmark interest rate unchanged on fears of rising inflation while lowering growth forecast to 6.7 per cent for the current fiscal. NEW DELHI: Domestic stainless steel production will reach the 3.6-million tonne mark at the end of 2017, industry body ISSDA has said.

If the output crosses that level, it will be about 9 per cent more than last year's.

"The production of stainless steel in the country at the end of the calendar year 2016 was 3.3 million tonne," President of Indian Stainless Steel Development Association (ISSDA) K K Pahuja said, citing data collected by the International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF).

"At present, we (the industry) are growing at a rate of 8-9 per cent year-on-year," he added. The growth is in response to the rising demand for stainless steel, mainly from sectors such as auto, roads and highways, housing and the like, the industry veteran said, adding that the demand will keep rising every year.

Besides, protectionist measures imposing a definitive Countervailing Duty (CVD) on certain stainless steel products from China have helped the industry, he said.

The government had removed the import duty on nickel, a key material required to produce stainless steel. Now, the steel ministry wants the import duty on ferro-nickel and stainless steel scrap to be removed.

This will further bring down the production cost of stainless steel in the country, he added.

For 2018, the domestic stainless industry is expected to produce close to 4 million tonnes. India is the second-largest producer of stainless steel after it overtook Japan in 2016. China remains the leader.