Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Composite CPI (132.31) for September 2014 increased by 5.82% year-on-year, attributable to higher rentals for dwellings and dearer charges for eating out. In comparison with September 2013, notable increase was observed in the price index of Housing & Fuels (+12.15%) and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+5.46%) on account of rising rentals and higher charges for eating out. On the contrary, price index of Communication decreased by 0.13%. The CPI-A (133.35) and CPI-B (132.56) increased by 6.26% and 5.72% respectively year-on-year. The Composite CPI for September 2014 increased by 0.53% month-to-month. Higher tuition fee in the new academic year, rising rentals and charges for eating out, as well as dearer prices of fresh vegetables, fruits and pork pushed up the price index of Education; Housing & Fuels; and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages by 2.63%, 1.04% and 0.92% respectively. On the other hand, price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco; Recreation & Culture; and Clothing & Footwear decreased by 1.58%, 1.55% and 1.21% respectively upon lower prices of tobacco and alcoholic beverages, receding charges for package tours and seasonal sale of summer clothing. The CPI-A and CPI-B increased by 0.72% and 0.49% respectively month-to-month. For the 12 months ended September 2014, the average Composite CPI increased by 6.03% from the previous period. Price index of Housing & Fuels (+11.83%) and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+6.24%) registered remarkable increase, while price index of Communication decreased by 0.80%. The average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 6.57% and 5.92% respectively. The average Composite CPI for the third quarter of 2014 increased by 5.94% year-on-year; the average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 6.39% and 5.82% respectively. The average Composite CPI for the first nine months of 2014 increased by 6.08% year-on-year; the average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 6.59% and 5.97% 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.
