Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Composite CPI (117.94) for October 2012 increased by 5.19% year-on-year, attributable to rising charges for meals bought away from home. For the 12 months ended October 2012, the average Composite CPI increased by 6.26% from the preceding period; the average CPI-A and CPI-B also rose by 6.46% and 6.47% respectively. In comparison with October 2011, price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+33.73%); Household Goods & Furnishings (+7.68%); and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+7.08%) marked notable increase on account of higher charges for domestic services and meals bought away from home. However, price index of Education and Communication decreased by 3.07% and 0.44% respectively year-on-year. The CPI-A (117.47) and CPI-B (118.53) increased by 5.53% and 5.39% respectively year-on-year. The Composite CPI increased by 0.10% month-to-month, of which new arrival of Winter clothing, higher charges for meals bought away from home and dearer prices of fresh fish and fruits drove up the price index of Clothing & Footwear; and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages by 2.87% and 0.46%. On the contrary, price index of Housing & Fuels; Transport; and Recreation & Culture decreased by 1.00%, 0.70% and 0.45% on account of a raise in Government subsidy on electricity, lower airfare and gasoline prices, as well as reduced charges for package tours. The CPI-A and the CPI-B increased by 0.01% and 0.14% respectively month-on-month. The average Composite CPI for the first ten months of 2012 increased by 6.18% year-on-year, of which price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+30.85%); and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+8.81%) saw notable increase, while that of Communication decreased by 4.76%. The CPI-A and CPI-B for the first ten months of 2012 rose by 6.42% and 6.40% 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.
