Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Composite CPI (114.41) for February 2012 increased by 5.81% year-on-year. The increment was attributable to rising charges for meals bought away from home, as well as higher prices of fresh pork and gasoline; however, subsidized electricity charges and lower rate of telecommunication services tapered off part of the increase.
For the 12 months ended February 2012, the average Composite CPI increased by 6.05% from the preceding period; the average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 5.77% and 6.26% respectively.
In comparison with February 2011, price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+27.03%); Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+9.14%) and Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+8.77%) registered marked increase on account of dearer prices of fresh pork, gasoline and gold jewellery, as well as higher charges for meals bought away from home. On the contrary, price index of Communication dropped by 6.34%. The CPI-A (113.66) and CPI-B (114.97) for February 2012 increased by 5.74% and 6.12% respectively year-on-year.
The Composite CPI for February 2012 decreased by 0.04% month-to-month. Price index of Recreation & Culture and Clothing & Footwear fell by 5.69% and 2.40% respectively on account of lower charges for outbound package tours and seasonal sale of men and women’s clothing after the Lunar New Year. However, the price index of Household Goods & Furnishings and Housing & Fuels increased by 1.60% and 1.55% respectively. Meanwhile, the CPI-A increased by 0.16%, while the CPI-B decreased by 0.05% month-to-month.
The average Composite CPI for the first two months of 2012 increased by 6.30% year-on-year; the CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 6.15% and 6.63% respectively.
The 2008/2009-based Composite CPI reflects the impact of price changes on the general population. The CPI-A relates to about 50% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP6,000 to MOP18,999. The CPI-B relates to about 30% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP19,000 to MOP34,999.
