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Softer-than-expected June inflation continues to bolster the case for easing in China
China's June CPI inflation edged down to 0.2% YoY, down slightly from 0.3% YoY, and coming in weaker than forecasts for a slight uptick to 0.4% YoY. Inflation has been very flat in the last four months, fluctuating between 0.1-0.3% YoY. In month-on-month terms, June's CPI inflation dropped to -0.2%, and inflation has now seen two consecutive months of decline. This month's slightly softer read came on the back of several factors: Food prices (-2.1% YoY) saw a sharper-than-expected decline in June. This was due to a larger drag from fresh vegetables (-7.3%), fresh fruits (-8.7%), as well as beef (-13.4%) and mutton ... (full story)