Singapore's consumer prices up in April

Singapore's consumer price index (CPI) in April rose by 2.5 percent year on year, pushed up largely by higher prices for cars, according to statistics released by the Department of Statistics on Friday. Transport costs in April rose by 5 percent year on year. The cost of private transport increased by 5.7 percent. The overall inflation in April was higher than the CPI hike of 1.2 percent in March. The CPI growth was at a four-year low of 0.4 percent in February. Healthcare costs increased 3.5 percent. Food prices were up 3.1 percent from the same period last year. The core inflation measured by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, which excludes private transport and accommodation, increased by 2.3 percent year on year in April.