0822 GMT - The Monetary Authority of Singapore likely has room to retain its monetary-policy settings, given softer-than-expected core inflation prints in April and May, says OCBC Group Research's Christopher Wong in a note. Energy prices have eased from earlier highs, while pre-emptive policy tightening in April was likely partially sufficient to offset potential imported inflation pressures, he says. Still, renewed services inflation, sticky inflation expectations or broader passthrough from earlier import-cost pressures are expected to keep the risk of further tightening alive, he adds. Singapore's central bank uses the exchange rate as a policy tool for maintaining price stability, given the city-state's small and open economy. (megan.cheah@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 22, 2026 04:22 ET (08:22 GMT)

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