Singapore’s central bank will favor a stronger currency by October to curb inflation and catch up with regional peers in withdrawing economic stimulus, a survey of economists showed.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore will seek a strengthening as early as its twice-yearly review this month, according to six of 13 economists in a Bloomberg News survey. Twelve expect an appreciation by October with one undecided. The central bank uses the exchange rate, rather than interest rates, to conduct monetary policy. It guides the Singapore dollar against a basket of currencies within an undisclosed band.

The currency has risen 0.5% so far this year, lagging behind a 7% gain in Malaysia’s ringgit and a 5% advance in India’s rupee. Consumer prices rose 1% in February from a year earlier, the fastest pace since March 2009, compared with a 0.2% increase in January, official data show.

“MAS doesn’t want to be seen as being behind the curve,” said Sebastien Barbe, head of emerging-market research at Credit Agricole CIB in Hong Kong. “The central bank wants to manage inflation expectations.”

Singapore’s currency traded at $1.3951 per dollar as of 8:40 a.m., according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Its value has fallen 0.3% since the last central bank meeting on Oct 12, making it the worst performer among Asia’s 10 most- active currencies outside Japan. The currency will rise 1.1% to $1.38 by June 30, according to the median estimate in a Bloomberg News survey.