Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the Composite CPI (112.12) for October 2011 increased by 6.71% year-on-year. The increment was attributable to rising charges for meals bought away from home and dearer prices of gasoline.

For the 12 months ended October 2011, the average Composite CPI increased by 5.34% from the previous period; the CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 5.01% and 5.52% respectively.

In comparison with October 2010, significant increase was observed in the price index of Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+10.03%); Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+9.75%); and Transport (+9.23%) on account of dearer prices of gasoline, gold jewellery, fresh fish and fresh pork, as well as rising charges for meals bought away from home. On the contrary, price index of Communication decreased by 14.00% year-on-year. The CPI-A (111.32) and CPI-B (112.47) for October 2011 increased by 6.42% and 6.93% respectively.

The Composite CPI for October 2011 increased by 0.58% month-to-month, of which the price index of Clothing & Footwear rose by 2.08% upon new arrival of men and women’s clothings. However, price index of Recreation & Culture and Transport decreased by 0.55% and 0.33% respectively. The CPI-A and CPI-B increased by 0.59% and 0.56% respectively month-to-month.

The average Composite CPI for the first ten months of 2011 increased by 5.62% year-on-year; the CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 5.28% and 5.81% respectively.

The Composite CPI, with base year April 2008-March 2009, 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.