CRISIL Research Core Inflation Indicator_Apr2012

download CRISIL Research Core Inflation Indicator_Apr2012

of 20

Transcript of CRISIL Research Core Inflation Indicator_Apr2012

  • 8/2/2019 CRISIL Research Core Inflation Indicator_Apr2012

    1/20

    CRISILInsightApril 2012

    KINGA MM ARKETSF

    UNCTIONBETTE

    R

    YEARS

    Improving Inflation Marksmanship

  • 8/2/2019 CRISIL Research Core Inflation Indicator_Apr2012

    2/20

    CRISILInsight

    About CRISIL Limited

    About CRISIL Research

    CRISIL Privacy

    Last updated: 31 March, 2011

    Disclaimer

    CRISIL is a global analytical company providing ratings, research, and risk and policy advisory services. We are India's leading

    ratings agency. We are also the foremost provider of high-end research to the world's largest banks and leading corporations.

    CRISIL Research is India's largest independent and integrated research house. We provide insights, opinions, and analysis on the

    Indian economy, industries, capital markets and companies. We are India's most credible provider of economy and industry

    research. Our industry research covers 70 sectors and is known for its rich insights and perspectives. Our analysis is supported by

    inputs from our network of more than 4,500 primary sources, including industry experts, industry associations, and trade channels.

    We play a key role in India's fixed income markets. We are India's largest provider of valuations of fixed income securities, serving the

    mutual fund, insurance, and banking industries. We are the sole provider of debt and hybrid indices to India's mutual fund and life

    insurance industries. We pioneered independent equity research in India, and are today India's largest independent equity research

    house. Our defining trait is the ability to convert information and data into expert judgements and forecasts with complete objectivity.

    We leverage our deep understanding of the macroeconomy and our extensive sector coverage to provide unique insights on micro-

    macro and cross-sectoral linkages. We deliver our research through an innovative web-based research platform. Our talent pool

    comprises economists, sector experts, company analysts, and information management specialists.

    CRISIL respects your privacy. We use your contact information, such as your name, address, and email id, to fulfill your request and service your

    account and to provide you with additional information from CRISIL and other parts of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. you may find of interest. Forfurther information, or to let us know your preferences with respect to receiving marketing materials, please visit www.crisil.com/privacy. You can view

    McGraw-Hill's Customer Privacy Policy at http://www.mcgrawhill.com/site/tools/privacy/privacy_english.

    CRISIL Research, a division of CRISIL Limited (CRISIL), has taken due care and caution in preparing this Report based on the information obtained

    by CRISIL from sources which it considers reliable (Data). However, CRISIL does not guarantee the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of the Data

    / Report and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of Data / Report. This Report is not a

    recommendation to invest / disinvest in any company covered in the Report. CRISIL especially states that it has no financial liability whatsoever to the

    subscribers / users / transmitters / distributors of this Report. CRISIL Research operates independently of, and does not have access to information

    obtained by CRISILs Ratings Division / CRISIL Risk and Infrastructure Solutions Limited (CRIS), which may, in their regular operations, obtain

    information of a confidential nature. The views expressed in this Report are that of CRISIL Research and not of CRISILs Ratings Division / CRIS. No

    part of this Report may be published / reproduced in any form without CRISILs prior written approval.

  • 8/2/2019 CRISIL Research Core Inflation Indicator_Apr2012

    3/20

    An alternative core inflation indicator for India

    A report by CRISIL Centre for Economic Research

  • 8/2/2019 CRISIL Research Core Inflation Indicator_Apr2012

    4/20

    Analytical contacts

    Vidya Mahambare

    Dipti Saletore

    Anuj Agarwal

    Director, Economy Research [email protected]

    Economist [email protected]

    Economist [email protected]

    CRISILInsight

    We would like to acknowledge the contribution of Rahul Srinivasan, Harshal Bhavsar, Rashmi Parab

    and Ranjana Balagopalan who helped in preparing the report.

  • 8/2/2019 CRISIL Research Core Inflation Indicator_Apr2012

    5/20

    Contents Page

    Key messages........................................................................................ 1

    Objective of the paper ........................................................................... 2

    Part I - Constructing an alternative core inflation indicator.................... 3

    Part II - Desirable properties of core inflation indicator:

    Does CRISIL Core Inflation Indicator measure up? ................. 6

  • 8/2/2019 CRISIL Research Core Inflation Indicator_Apr2012

    6/20

    Key messages

    n CRISIL Research has released an alternative indicator of core inflation

    - CRISIL Core Inflation Indicator (CCII).

    n CCII captures the underlying demand-side pressures on prices better

    and is more stable than the existing core inflation measure - non-food

    manufacturing inflation - which is the existing measure of core

    inflation. CCII can therefore supplement the existing indicators that

    influence the Reserve Bank of Indias (RBI) interest rate decisions.

    n For the computation of CCII, we add back processed foods and take

    out base metals from the existing measure of WPI-based core inflationmeasure. Both measures exclude prices of primary articles and fuels

    from the wholesale price index.

    n CCII significantly improves upon the current measure of core inflation.

    It reduces volatility by excluding base metals and captures demand-

    side pressures more accurately by including processed food articles -

    prices of which are primarily influenced by demand strength.

    n In 2011-12, while the underlying trends of the two measures of core

    inflation have been similar, CCII has declined more sharply. Average

    CCII is likely to drop below 5.0 per cent in 2012-13 from nearly 7.0 per

    cent in 2011-12.

    n Inaccurate measurement of demand pressures by the existing core

    inflation measure, we believe, adversely affected monetary policy

    actions in the past. While the average CCII was 4.2 per cent in 2009-

    10, the non-food manufacturing inflation declined sharply to 0.2 per

    cent. This delayed policy tightening till March 2010.

    n CCII also has higher correlation with inflation measured by GDP

    deflator, the most comprehensive measure of inflation. This implies

    that overall changes in prices in the economy are tracked more

    accurately by the new measure.

    1

  • 8/2/2019 CRISIL Research Core Inflation Indicator_Apr2012

    7/20

    CRISILInsight

    2

    Objective of the paper

    In this paper, we present a new measure of core inflation for India, which we

    believe tracks demand-side pressures on inflation in a more accurate

    manner as compared to the RBI preferred measure of core inflation.

    Part I of the paper explains the construction and rationale behind - CRISIL

    Core Inflation Indicator (CCII). It also discusses the difference between the

    two measures of core inflation and its policy implications. Part II of the paper

    elaborates on the desired properties of core inflation indicators and tests if

    CCII meets these criteria.

  • 8/2/2019 CRISIL Research Core Inflation Indicator_Apr2012

    8/20

    Part I - Constructing an alternative core

    inflation indicator

    CRISIL Research has computed an alternative indicator of core inflation -

    CRISIL Core Inflation Indicator (CCII) - which will improve the accuracy of

    measuring underlying demand-side pressures on prices. CCII is computed

    using manufacturing prices in India's wholesale price index after excluding

    the 'base metals' category. It therefore allows for inclusion of all

    manufactured items (including food and metal products), prices of which are

    demand driven. In contrast, base metals prices are directly linked to

    international prices and hence prone to high volatility.

    Currently, the core inflation measure used by the RBI as one of the inputs for

    monetary policy decision making as well as communicating with the public is

    the non-food manufacturing inflation. Non-food manufacturing excludes raw

    and processed food and fuel prices from the WPI basket.

    The CCII captures demand-side pressures on prices better and is more

    stable than the existing core inflation measure. In terms of weight in WPI,

    CCII has a slightly higher weight of 55.9 per cent compared to 55.0 per cent

    weight of the non-food manufacturing index.

    Both the measures have moved in near-tandem since April 2010, and are

    currently showing a decline since December 2011 (Figure 1). However,

    during periods of adverse shocks to the global economy, CCII is less

    influenced by temporary shocks and therefore, is more stable. It is thus, a

    better indicator of persistent demand pressures in the Indian economy. For

    instance, during 2009-10, while the non-food manufacturing inflation

    measure suggested that core inflation had fallen to 0.2 per cent, CCII was still

    high at 4.2 per cent.

    Our calculations show that CCII had reached 6.0 per cent by December 2009

    itself. RBI, however, had started raising policy interest rate only in March

    2010 when, among other factors, non-food manufacturing inflation hadstarted approaching 5.0 per cent. At the time, low levels of non-food

    manufacturing inflation, were largely a result of a collapse of international

    base metal prices in the aftermath of the global economic crisis. In hindsight,

    early anchoring of demand-side pressures could have helped tame down

    inflation pressures more effectively during 2010-11 and 2011-12.

    3

    CRISIL Core Inflation Indicator (CCII)

    CCII less vulnerable to temporaryshocks, hence more stable

    Non-food manufacturing - the existing

    measure of core inflation in India

    CCII indicates, monetary tightening

    likely to have been delayed, in

    hindsight

  • 8/2/2019 CRISIL Research Core Inflation Indicator_Apr2012

    9/20

    CRISILInsight

    4

    Monetary po l icy e f fec t iveness

    dependent on reliable measurement of

    demand-side inflation

    Core inflation measure, believed to

    have influenced monetary policy

    actions in the past

    WPI inflation in India has remained high and above RBI's comfort zone of 5

    per cent in the last 6 years. Given the persistence in inflation, it has become

    increasingly important for the RBI to enhance the effectiveness of policy

    actions and communicate its intent clearly to the public. Monetary policy

    aims to control inflation in the economy by ensuring that demand moves in

    line with supply. Monetary policy effectiveness therefore, depends crucially

    on reliable measurement of demand-side pressures on inflation. Such

    measurement should effectively eliminate the effects of transitory supply

    shocks, for instance, an oil price shock, which by itself, has less lasting

    impact on inflation. To meet these objectives the central bank computes a

    measure of core inflation for India which looks at non-food manufacturing

    inflation.

    A core inflation measure seeks to gauge demand-side pressures on inflation

    by removing the effects of transitory supply shocks which, unlike demand-

    side factors do not generally require monetary policy response. Monetary

    policy actions work with a lag and hence accuracy in inflation projections is

    critical. A reliable core inflation indicator must therefore be forward-looking

    with reasonable degree of forecast accuracy.

    Since March 2010, the RBI has often referred to the non-food manufacturingmeasure, in several of its communications related to monetary policy

    decisions. This measure, therefore, is believed to have influenced monetary

    policy actions in recent years. Unlike the RBI's preferred core inflation

    measure, CCII includes processed food prices, but excludes the prices of

    base metals (ferrous and non-ferrous) from manufacturing inflation. CCII

    includes processed food and metal products to take into account the second-

    round of impact of supply shocks and it excludes base metal prices which are

    directly influenced by international prices. Both core measures exclude the

    prices of primary commodities and fuels which reflect the first-round impact

    of supply shocks.

    Figure 1: CRISIL Core Inflation Indicator

    Source: Ministry of Industry and Commerce, CRISIL Research

    -2.0

    0.0

    2.0

    4.0

    6.0

    8.0

    10.0

    12.0

    14.0

    CRISIL Core Inflation Indicator (CCII)

    RBIs preferred measure ofcore inflation

    -non-food manufacturing

    Jan-00

    Jul-00

    Jan-01

    Jul-01

    Jan-02

    Jul-02

    Jan-03

    Jul-03

    Jan-04

    Jul-04

    Jan-05

    Jul-05

    Jan-06

    Jul-06

    Jan-07

    Jul-07

    Jan-08

    Jul-08

    Jan-09

    Jul-09

    Jan10

    Jul-10

    Jan-11

    Jul-11

    Feb-12

    %, y-o-y

    Jan-12

  • 8/2/2019 CRISIL Research Core Inflation Indicator_Apr2012

    10/20

    Figure 1 reveals the disparities in the information that CCII and the non-food

    manufacturing inflation measure provide about demand-side pressures.

    n In 2009-10, following the global economic crisis, while prices of non-food

    manufacturing articles contracted during April-October 2009, CCII

    declined, but never fell below 2.4 per cent during this period. A sudden

    and sharp decline in international base metal prices during this period

    was responsible for an equally sharp decline in non-food manufacturing

    inflation in 2009-10.

    n By December 2009, CCII had nearly touched 6.0 per cent, while non-food

    manufacturing inflation was still hovering around 2.5 per cent implying

    that the latter underestimated demand-side pressures.

    n In recent years, while both measures of core inflation have moved in

    tandem, CCII has generally been lower (except in 2009-10), but more

    stable than non-food manufacturing index, even if we exclude the 2009-

    10 episode. A similar difference in two measures of inflation was

    witnessed in 2004-05, when prices of base metals witnessed a steep rise.

    n In recent months, CCII has begun to decline since November 2011, a

    month earlier than the non-food manufacturing inflation measure, and

    has dropped more sharply thereafter. In January-Februrary 2012, CCII

    was lower at 5.5 per cent average as compared to non-food

    manufacturing inflation at 6.2 per cent.

    n In 2012-13, we believe CCII would decline faster than non-food

    manufacturing inflation measure, barring another collapse of

    international metal prices. This reflects a sharper decline in demand

    pressures on inflation.

    The disparity in the two measures reflects the difference in movement of

    prices of processed food and metals. Prices of processed food (included in

    CCII; excluded from non-food manufacturing measure) rose by over 13 per

    cent y-o-y in 2009-10. In contrast, prices of base metals (excluded from CCII;

    included in non-food manufacturing measure) fell by over 8 per cent in 2009-

    10, following the Lehman crisis.

    The possibility that demand-side pressures were relatively firm in 2009-10

    has significant policy implications. It suggests that the monetary policy

    loosening post-October 2008 might have been sharper-than-warranted.

    Further, subsequent interest rate hikes should have started much earlier than

    March 2010. Had this happened, inflation rate during the last couple of years

    could have been lower. Overall WPI inflation, however, would have continued

    to hover above the RBI's threshold level as an expansionary fiscal policy (led

    by sharp rise in government consumption expenditure) reduced the

    effectiveness of monetary policy actions.

    Disparity in two core inflation

    measures, reflective of differences in

    movements of base metal and

    processed food prices

    5

  • 8/2/2019 CRISIL Research Core Inflation Indicator_Apr2012

    11/207

    Computation of core inflation from CPI,

    exclusion of metal prices, and inclusion of

    processed foods - a global practice

    CRISILInsight

    6

    Part II - Desirable properties of core inflation

    indicator: Does CCII measure up?

    Across the world, several central banks (such as Bank of England, Reserve

    Bank of New Zealand and Riksbanken - central bank of Sweden) monitor core

    inflation through a variety of measures, which are typically constructed using

    sub-categories of CPI data and hence exclude metal prices. Most core inflation

    measures also tend to include processed foods (Table 1). These measures

    either permanently exclude highly volatile prices (exclusion methods) or

    exclude volatile components based on statistical results on a periodic basis

    (statistical methods). In India, an early attempt at estimation of core inflation

    was made by Mohanty, Rath and Ramaiah (2000). More recently, Durai, Sethu

    & Ramachandran (2007), and Raj & Misra (2011) have estimated several

    measures of core inflation for the country.

    Table 1: Official Core Inflation Measures: Cross-Country Practices

    Core Inflation Targeting

    Countries Canada CPIX that excludes 8 most volatile components

    like fruits, vegetables, gasoline, natural gas, fuel

    oil, mortgage interest costs, intercity

    transportation and tobacco products

    Sweden CPI excluding interest and indirect tax

    Norway CPI excluding tax and energy

    New Zealand CPI excluding interest charges

    Thailand Core CPI excludes fresh food and energy prices

    which include rice, flour, cereal products,

    vegetables, fruits, electricity charges, cooking

    gas, and gasoline

    Other countries with official core inflation measures

    Japan CPI excluding fresh food

    Peru CPI excluding 9 volatile items like food, fruits and

    vegetables, urban transport

    United States CPI excluding food and energy

    Philippines CPI excluding rice corn fruits vegetables, LPG,

    Kerosene, Oil, Gasoline, Diesel

    Korea CPI excluding non-grain agricultural products and

    petroleum products

    Columbia CPI excluding agricultural food, public services

    and transport

    Spain CPI excluding energy and unprocessed food

    Netherlands CPI excluding fruits, vegetables and energy

    Portugal CPI excluding energy and unprocessed food

    Source: Raj, J. & Misra, S (2011) Measures of Core Inflation in

    India An Empirical Evaluation, RBI working paper No 16

  • 8/2/2019 CRISIL Research Core Inflation Indicator_Apr2012

    12/20

    Existing core inflation measure, prone

    to volatility and less useful for

    estimating future demand pressures

    7

    Desirable properties of core inflation are:

    Globally, core inflation is usually calculated on the basis of the CPI after

    eliminating certain food and energy products as their prices are highly

    volatile and vulnerable to temporary domestic or global shocks. Moreover,

    CPI, by construction, does not include base metal prices.

    In India, the RBI calculates core inflation on the basis of WPI. The central

    bank's preferred measure of core inflation excludes all food prices (raw and

    processed) and energy prices.

    This core measure used by the RBI has two drawbacks:

    a) It is prone to volatility: it includes base metals prices, directly linked to

    international price movements, which are influenced by temporary

    shocks.

    b) It is less useful for gauging future demand-side pressures: it

    excludes processed food prices (manufactured food).

    a) A good core inflation measure should exclude the impact of temporary

    movement in overall inflation. It should reveal that component of overall

    price change which is likely to persist for an extended period, and can be

    easily forecasted. Base metals prices do not meet this criterion as they

    are highly volatile and linked to international metal prices which are inturn

    influenced by temporary supply shocks (Figure 2). The CCII therefore,

    excludes this component in its calculation.

    1.Core inflation should be less volatile than overall inflation and

    should remove the impact of temporary shocks

    Figure 2: WPI-base metals inflation vis--vis international base metals inflation

    Note: International base metal prices are calculated by taking simple averages of inflation in base metal

    category commoditiesSource: CRISIL Research, Ministry of Industry

    20.0

    15.0

    10.0

    5.0

    0.0

    5.0

    10.0

    15.0

    20.0

    25.0

    -70.0

    -50.0

    -30.0

    -10.0

    10.0

    30.0

    50.0

    70.0

    90.0

    110.0

    130.0

    Mar-06 Jan-07 Nov-07 Sep-08 Jul-09 May-10 Mar-11

    International inflation in base metals: left axis WPI-base metals inflation

    %,y-o-y

    %,y-o-y

  • 8/2/2019 CRISIL Research Core Inflation Indicator_Apr2012

    13/209

    Source: Ministry of Industry and Commerce, CRISIL Research

    Note: Data till February 2012

    Base metals Metal products

    Mean Volatility(standarddeviation)

    Mean Volatility(standarddeviation)

    FY96-05

    FY06-12

    7.0

    6.1

    7.3

    8.5

    2.6

    10.2

    3.9

    5.3

    Table 2: Base metals and metal products inflation

    Exclusion of base metals from core

    inflation reduces volatility and impact of

    temporary supply shocks

    CRISILInsight

    8

    For instance, in a recent RBI working paper on core measures of inflation in

    India, Raj & Misra (2011) noted that volatility in domestic metal prices

    increased in the 2000s vis--vis the 1990s, reflecting strong correlation with

    global metal prices. Volatility in domestic prices of metals such as iron and

    steel has been particularly high in recent years.

    Prices of metal products, in contrast, mirror the second-round impact of

    changes in the base metal prices, and thus, act as an indicator of demand

    pressures in the economy (Table 2). During FY96-FY05, when economic

    growth was relatively low, metal products inflation was at 2.6 per cent as

    compared with base metals inflation of 7 per cent. But during a relatively high-growth phase of FY06-FY12, despite lower base metals inflation, at 6.1 per

    cent, metal products inflation shot up significantly to 10.2 per cent.

    Table 3 WPI and Core Inflation Measures(April 2005 to February 2012)

    Weight Mean StandardDeviation

    Coefficientof Variation

    VolatilityaroundTrend(annual)

    Headline WPI

    Non-foodmanufacturing

    CCII

    100.0

    55.0

    55.9

    6.6

    4.7

    4.7

    3.0

    2.7

    1.5

    8.8

    7.2

    2.4

    1.1

    1.3

    1.0

    Source: Ministry of Industry and Commerce, CRISIL Research

  • 8/2/2019 CRISIL Research Core Inflation Indicator_Apr2012

    14/20

    Going forward, global metal prices are likely to remain volatile since price

    contracts of iron ore and other metals have been converted into quarterly from

    annual contracts. If, in future, the contracts are moved to the monthly basis, itwould bring further volatility to the measure of non-food manufacturing

    inflation which includes base metals prices. In addition, domestic metal prices

    are also influenced by temporary fluctuations in the value of rupee, which we

    believe will remain weak atleast during 2012-13 vis--vis the dollar.

    Based on this evidence, we believe, while metal products prices should be

    included in a measure of core inflation, base metals prices should be

    excluded - as is the international practice - to reduce volatility and temporary

    fluctuations.

    b) A measure of core inflation should not only eliminate volatility, but should

    also be able to gauge demand pressures. The exclusion of processed food

    prices from non-food manufacturing inflation, the RBI's preferred core

    inflation measure, defeats this purpose.

    Primary food inflation has become persistent in nature at 10.7 per cent

    average in the April 2005 to January 2012 period. This structural shift in

    primary food inflation, backed by strong demand has yielded into second-

    round impact on manufactured food inflation (Table 4), which remained

    elevated even during 2009-10 when non-food manufacturing inflation

    declined sharply (Figure 3). This makes it important to include themanufactured food prices in core inflation measure to aptly gauge demand-

    side pressures. Going ahead, if global food prices continue to trend upwards

    due to persistent demand pressure, high food inflation may no longer be a

    temporary phenomenon.

    Prices of processed food also provide information about future inflation.

    Producers of processed food tend to change their prices infrequently, even

    though their production costs fluctuate frequently. Knowing that their next

    price adjustment may take some weeks or months, such producers need to

    be forward-looking when setting prices. If they perceive a temporary jump in

    the prices of their inputs - basic food, they may not fully pass on the higher

    input cost into their price. If however, they see a more permanent increase in

    prices of their inputs and a commensurate increase in demand for their

    products, they may increase the price of their products. Movements in prices

    for these sorts of items thus provide information about future price

    developments. In sum, we believe processed food prices should not be

    excluded from a measure of core inflation for India.

    9

    Inclusion of processed foods in the core

    inflation measure allows for more

    accurate estimation of demand-side

    pressures on manufactured inflation

  • 8/2/2019 CRISIL Research Core Inflation Indicator_Apr2012

    15/20

    CRISILInsight

    Figure 3 Inflation in manufactured food and non-food manufacturing

    -5.0

    0.0

    5.0

    10.0

    15.0

    20.0

    Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4*

    2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

    Manufactured food Non- food manufacturing inf lation%, y-o-y

    Note: *Data for Q4 2011-12 is only for January-February 2012Source: Ministry of Industry and Commerce, CRISIL Research

    Primary food articles Manufactured food products

    Mean Volatility(standarddeviation)

    Mean Volatility(standarddeviation)

    FY96-05

    FY06-12

    5.3

    10.0

    4.9

    5.2

    4.5

    6.2

    4.6

    4.4

    Table 4: Primary and manufactured food inflation

    Source: Ministry of Industry and Commerce, CRISIL Research

    Note: Data till February 2012

    Figure 4: GDP deflator inflation and core inflation measures

    Source: Ministry of Industry and Commerce, CRISIL Research

    0

    2

    4

    6

    8

    10

    12

    CRISIL Core Inflation Indicator Non food manufacturing inflation

    GDP Deflator

    2000-01

    2001-02

    2002-03

    2003-04

    2004-05

    2005-06

    2006-07

    2007-08

    2008-09

    2009-10

    2011-12*

    2000-01

    2001-02

    2002-03

    2003-04

    2004-05

    2005-06

    2006-07

    2007-08

    2008-09

    2009-10

    2011-12*

    2010-11

    %, y-o-y

    2010-11

    10

  • 8/2/2019 CRISIL Research Core Inflation Indicator_Apr2012

    16/20

    2.Core inflation measure should be able to predict future trends

    in overall inflation

    Since monetary policy changes influence inflation with a lag, policy actions

    are largely based on forecast of inflation. It is therefore, critical that core

    inflation be able to predict future inflation with reasonable accuracy. The most

    comprehensive measure of inflation in a country is a percentage change in

    GDP deflator. CCII tracks overall inflation in the economy as reflected in GDP

    deflator better than the non-food manufacturing inflation (Figure 4).

    Since the beginning of the last decade, inflation as measured by changes in

    GDP deflator has moved directionally in line with CCII. Based on quarterly

    data since 2005-06, while the correlation between changes in GDP deflatorand CCII is around 0.79 for, it is only 0.52 for changes in GDP deflator and the

    non-food manufacturing inflation measure.

    Preliminary statistical exercise reveals high correlation of both measures of

    core inflation with WPI inflation of around 0.82 between April 2005 and

    February 2012. Although the overall correlation between the two measures of

    core inflation with WPI inflation is similar, the ratio of WPI inflation to CCII

    however is relatively stable implying that during volatile period, CCII is a

    better gauge for underlying inflationary trends.

    To serve as an indicator for future headline inflation, core inflation measure

    should be able to forecast its own future trends. A preliminary exercise1

    suggests that core inflation projections based on the ARIMA forecasting

    method for CCII are significantly better than that for the non-food

    manufacturing inflation measure. The forecast errors (% difference between

    forecast and actual values) are significantly smaller (Table 5) than for the non-

    food manufacturing inflation. This means that CCII has higher forecast

    accuracy. Current data for CCII has better predictive abilities than non-food

    manufacturing measure. Forecast errors, are also largely unidirectional with

    the actual values being higher than the forecast except in 2010-11 which

    makes it easier to make out-of-model adjustments, if necessary, in the

    forecast of CCII.

    Once the forecasts for core inflation are generated, information based on

    assumptions for the balance components of WPI inflation (viz. primary

    articles, fuel and base metals) can be included to arrive at a forecast for

    overall inflation.

    1ARIMA Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average models describe the current behavior of a variable interms of linear relationships with their past values. While the basic ARIMA models do not incorporate futureinformation, it is the most general form of modeling a time series which displays high persistence.

    11

    CCII has higher forecast accuracy

    Inflation forecasts, critical for policy

    actions

  • 8/2/2019 CRISIL Research Core Inflation Indicator_Apr2012

    17/2013

    Non-metal manufacturing Non-food manufacturing

    2008-09

    2009-10

    2010-11

    2011-12

    2012-13

    Forecast Actual Forecast Actual

    5.0 5.2 6.6 5.7

    3.6

    5.5

    6.2

    4.0

    4.2

    5.3

    7.1*

    -

    1.6

    4.7

    9.9

    5.3

    0.2

    6.1

    7.5*

    -

    Note: *Data till February 2012Source: Ministry of Industry and Commerce, CRISIL Research

    Table 5: Comparison of actual v/s ARIMA out of sample forecast

    Concluding Remarks

    References:

    There is no single ideal measure of core inflation which would necessarily

    outperform all other measures across all time periods. Hence, it is better to

    judge inflation pressures on the basis of different measures which together

    provide a coherent picture of overall inflation dynamics. According to our

    analysis, of the two measures of core inflation non-food manufacturing and

    CRISIL Core Inflation Indicator the latter is less prone to supply-side shocks

    and is therefore less volatile. CCII also allows for better understanding of

    underlying demand pressures on inflation, and has better predictive abilities.

    CCII can therefore be an appropriate tool for policymakers to take effective

    monetary policy decisions.

    Durai, S., Raja Sethu, and M. Ramachandran. "Core Inflation for India." Journal

    of Asian Economics 18(2), April 2007: 365-383.

    Mohanthy, D., D.P. Rath, and M. Ramaiah. "Measures of Core Inflation for

    India. Economic and Political Weekly, January 2000: 273-283.

    Raj, J. and S. Misra. "Measures of Core Inflation in India - An Empirical

    Evaluation. 2011: RBI Working Paper No.16. 2011.

    CRISILInsight

    12

  • 8/2/2019 CRISIL Research Core Inflation Indicator_Apr2012

    18/2015

    CRISIL Centre for Economic Research (C-CER)

    Macroeconomics:

    Financial Economics:

    Environmental Economics:

    CRISIL EcoView

    The Centre for Economic Research is a division of CRISIL. Set up in April 2002, C-CER reflects CRISIL's commitment to provide

    an integrated research offering to help corporates and policy makers take more informed business decisions.

    C-CER applies sound economic principles to real world applications, creating conceptual and contextual linkages that are

    unique to CRISIL. C-CER also supports Standard & Poor's Asia Pacific by analysing and forecasting macroeconomic variables

    for 14 countries in the region.

    C-CER's core strengths emerge from a strong understanding of and capabilities in the following areas:

    Regular monitoring and forecasting of macroeconomic indicators, assessment of domestic and global

    events, and analysis of longterm structural changes in the economy.

    Analysis and forecasting of interest rates and exchange rates.

    Public Finance: Analysis and forecasting of central and state government revenues, expenditures and borrowing requirements.

    Analysis of Indian firms' impact on environmental, social and governance parameters.

    C-CER reviews developments in the Indian economy on a monthly basis and provides its outlook on the economy through a

    dedicated publication .

    CRISIL EcoView is used by CEOs, CFOs, economists, corporate strategy teams, marketing teams, treasuries and knowledge

    management teams of various corporates and management consultancy firms to make appropriate strategy level decisions.

    The C-CER team comprises senior economists with over a decade's experience of working with premier research institutes.

    Dharmakirti Joshi

    Sunil K. Sinha

    Vidya Mahambare

    Parul Bhardwaj

    Dipti Saletore

    Anuj AgarwalAindrila Roy Chowdhury

    Senior Director and Chief Economist

    Director

    Director

    Economist

    Economist

    EconomistEconomist

    13

  • 8/2/2019 CRISIL Research Core Inflation Indicator_Apr2012

    19/20

    Our Capabilities

    Economy and Industry Research

    Funds and Fixed Income Research

    n Largest and most comprehensive database on Indias debt market, covering more than 14,000securities

    n Largest provider of fixed income valuations in India

    n Value more than Rs.33 trillion (USD 650 billion) of Indian debt securities, comprising 85 per cent ofoutstanding securities

    n Sole provider of fixed income and hybrid indices to mutual funds and insurance companies; we maintain12 standard indices and over 80 customised indices

    n Ranking of Indian mutual fund schemes covering 73 per cent of assets under management andRs.5 trillion (USD100 billion) by value

    n Retained by Indias Employees Provident Fund Organisation, the worlds largest retirement schemecovering over 50 million individuals, for selecting fund managers and monitoring their performance

    Equity and Company Research

    n Largest independent equity research house in India, focusing on small and mid-cap companies;

    coverage exceeds 100 companiesn Released company reports on all 1,401 companies listed and traded on the National Stock Exchange; a

    global first for any stock exchange

    n First research house to release exchange-commissioned equity research reports in India

    n Assigned the first IPO grade in India

    n Largest team of economy and industry research analysts in India

    n Coverage on 70 industries and 139 sub-sectors; provide growth forecasts, profitability analysis,emerging trends, expected investments, industry structure and regulatory frameworks

    n 90 per cent of Indias commercial banks use our industry research for credit decisions

    n Special coverage on key growth sectors including real estate, infrastructure, logistics, and financialservices

    n Inputs to Indias leading corporates in market sizing, demand forecasting, and project feasibility

    n

    Published the first India-focused report on Ultra High Net-worth Individualsn All opinions and forecasts reviewed by a highly qualified panel with over 200 years of cumulative

    experience

    Making Markets Function Better

    KINGA MM ARKETSF

    UNCTIONBETTE

    R

    YEARS

  • 8/2/2019 CRISIL Research Core Inflation Indicator_Apr2012

    20/20

    CRISIL LimitedCRISIL House, Central AvenueHiranandani Business Park, Powai, Mumbai - 400 076. IndiaPhone: +91 22 3342 3000 | Fax: +91 22 3342 8088www.crisil.com

    CRISIL Ltd is a Standard & Poor's company

    Our Offices

    Ahmedabad706, Venus Atlantis

    Nr. Reliance Petrol Pump

    Prahladnagar, Ahmedabad, India

    Phone: +91 79 4024 4500

    Fax: +91 79 2755 9863

    Bengaluru

    W-101, Sunrise Chambers

    22, Ulsoor Road

    Bengaluru - 560 042, India

    Phone: +91 80 2558 0899

    +91 80 2559 4802

    Fax: +91 80 2559 4801

    Chennai

    Thapar House,

    43/44, Montieth Road, Egmore

    Chennai - 600 008, India

    Phone: +91 44 2854 6205/06

    +91 44 2854 6093

    91 44 2854 7531Fax: +

    Hyderabad

    3rd Floor, Uma Chambers

    Plot No. 9&10, Nagarjuna Hills

    (Near Punjagutta Cross Road)

    Hyderabad - 500 482, IndiaPhone: +91 40 2335 8103/05

    Fax: +91 40 2335 7507

    KolkataHorizon, Block 'B', 4th Floor

    57 Chowringhee Road

    Kolkata - 700 071, India

    Phone: +91 33 2289 1949/50

    Fax: +91 33 2283 0597

    New Delhi

    The Mira, G-1

    1st Floor, Plot No. 1 & 2

    Ishwar Nagar, Mathura Road

    New Delhi - 110 065, India

    Phone: +91 11 4250 5100

    +91 11 2693 0117/121

    Fax: +91 11 2684 2212

    Pune

    1187/17, Ghole Road

    Shivaji Nagar

    Pune - 411 005, India

    Phone: +91 20 2553 9064/67

    Fax: +91 20 4018 1930