Business news for Mon, 24 Dec 2007 & with word economists. 2 news.

HONG KONG (MarketWatch) -- Singapore's inflation rate hit a 25-year high of 4.2% in November from a year earlier, reflecting higher food and housing prices, according to reports. Economists had expected the consumer price index to rise 3.9% in November, slightly faster than the 3.6% rise recorded in October. Food prices, the largest weighted category within the index, climbed 5.2% and housing prices climbed 2.9%. Singapore's broad measure of money supply, or M2, expanded 18% in October from a year earlier, figures released by the Monetary Authority showed. Analysts said the inflation data stoked speculation the authority would hike interest rates before a scheduled review in April.

Two conservative economists ranked Arizona second in the U.S. for its low taxes, pro-business regulatory environment and limited government.