Commenting on the "shrinkflation" phenomenon, SMU Assistant Professor of Finance (Education) Aurobindo Ghosh said that "shrinkflation" typically occurs after significant inflation in both finished goods and raw materials. He said that Singapore, which relies heavily on imports for most food and consumer goods, is particularly vulnerable to this phenomenon. Asst Prof Ghosh also noted that milk powder, instant coffee and tea, ice cream, laundry detergent, and diapers are all everyday items purchased in bulk and pre-packaged. Therefore, they are more prone to "shrinkflation" compared to goods like rice, fruits, and vegetables, which are purchased by weight and priced per unit.
A joint SMU-DBS report observed that inflation expectations for transportation rose to 3.5% in March from 3% last December 2026, highlighting growing energy-related cost pressures. SMU Assistant Professor of Finance (Education) Aurobindo Ghosh stated that tensions involving Iran and Israel, including threats to the Strait of Hormuz, could drive further inflationary pressures.
A joint SMU-DBS report observed that inflation expectations for transportation rose to 3.5% in March from 3% last December 2026, highlighting growing energy-related cost pressures. SMU Assistant Professor of Finance (Education) Aurobindo Ghosh stated that tensions involving Iran and Israel, including threats to the Strait of Hormuz, could drive further inflationary pressures
A joint SMU-DBS report observed that inflation expectations for transportation rose to 3.5% in March from 3% last December 2026, highlighting growing energy-related cost pressures. SMU Assistant Professor of Finance (Education) Aurobindo Ghosh stated that tensions involving Iran and Israel, including threats to the Strait of Hormuz, could drive further inflationary pressures.
According to the Singapore Index of Inflation Expectations survey, the majority of Singaporeans expect inflation to increase in the next year due to global trade policies and rising fuel prices. SMU’s Sim Kee Boon Institute for Financial Economics and DBS Group Research are co-sponsors and research partners of the survey, which is now in its 59th edition, and it was led by SMU Assistant Professor of Finance (Education) Aurobindo Ghosh. The survey polls 500 individuals representing a cross-section of Singapore households.
Commenting on inflation, Asst Prof Ghosh said the potential of a lingering supply crunch and surge in prices of commodities, such as oil, natural gas and by-products of the petrochemical industry, poses “a clear and present threat to the surge in inflationary pressures globally”. He added that central banks around the world, including the Monetary Authority of Singapore, are keeping a close watch while negotiations are ongoing to resolve the crisis, and showing positive signs for the continuous opening of the Strait of Hormuz as the fragile ceasefire takes shape.
According to the Singapore Index of Inflation Expectations survey, the majority of Singaporeans expect inflation to increase in the next year due to global trade policies and rising fuel prices. SMU’s Sim Kee Boon Institute for Financial Economics and DBS Group Research are co-sponsors and research partners of the survey, which is now in its 59th edition, and it was led by SMU Assistant Professor of Finance (Education) Aurobindo Ghosh. The survey polls 500 individuals representing a cross-section of Singapore households.
Commenting on inflation, Asst Prof Ghosh said the potential of a lingering supply crunch and surge in prices of commodities, such as oil, natural gas and by-products of the petrochemical industry, poses “a clear and present threat to the surge in inflationary pressures globally”. He added that central banks around the world, including the Monetary Authority of Singapore, are keeping a close watch while negotiations are ongoing to resolve the crisis, and showing positive signs for the continuous opening of the Strait of Hormuz as the fragile ceasefire takes shape.
According to the Singapore Index of Inflation Expectations survey, the majority of Singaporeans expect inflation to increase in the next year due to global trade policies and rising fuel prices. SMU’s Sim Kee Boon Institute for Financial Economics and DBS Group Research are co-sponsors and research partners of the survey, which is now in its 59th edition, and it was led by SMU Assistant Professor of Finance (Education) Aurobindo Ghosh. The survey polls 500 individuals representing a cross-section of Singapore households.
Commenting on inflation, Asst Prof Ghosh said the potential of a lingering supply crunch and surge in prices of commodities, such as oil, natural gas and by-products of the petrochemical industry, poses “a clear and present threat to the surge in inflationary pressures globally”. He added that central banks around the world, including the Monetary Authority of Singapore, are keeping a close watch while negotiations are ongoing to resolve the crisis, and showing positive signs for the continuous opening of the Strait of Hormuz as the fragile ceasefire takes shape.
SMU’s Lee Kong Chian School of Business, in collaboration with DBS Group Research and partly funded by DBS, released the Singapore Index of Inflation Expectations survey on 20 January 2026 which showed that the majority of Singaporeans expect headline inflation to rise slightly in 2026 as a result of global high trade policies followed by geopolitical uncertainties, higher interest rates, supply chain disruptions, and fiscal responsibility measures, such as higher value-added taxes.
SMU’s Lee Kong Chian School of Business, in collaboration with DBS Group Research and partly funded by DBS, released the Singapore Index of Inflation Expectations survey on 20 January 2026 which showed that the majority of Singaporeans expect headline inflation to rise slightly in 2026 as a result of global high trade policies followed by geopolitical uncertainties, higher interest rates, supply chain disruptions, and fiscal responsibility measures, such as higher value-added taxes.
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