Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the Composite CPI (103.27) for February 2010 increased notably by 2.57% year-on-year since the Lunar New Year fell in January 2009 as against February this year; the increment was attributable to the price increase of the Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages. Price indices of Recreation & Culture; Transport; Clothing & Footwear; Miscellaneous Goods & Services; and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages rose by 8.64%, 7.87%, 7.84%, 7.33% and 4.82% respectively, on account of soaring charges for outbound package tours, meal brought away from home and hairdressing services, rising prices of gasoline, gold jewellery, clothings, vegetables, fresh fish and seafood during the Lunar New Year period. On the contrary, apart from the 9.81% decrease of the price index of Education, reduced charges for mobile phone services and lower rentals for housing drove the price indices of Communication; and Housing & Fuels down by 3.33% and 1.47% respectively. The CPI-A (103.0) and CPI-B (103.28) for February 2010 increased by 1.99% and 2.62% year-on-year respectively. The Composite CPI for February 2010 increased by 1.11% month-to-month, of which the price indices of Recreation & Culture; Miscellaneous Goods & Services; and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages rose by 6.28%, 2.69% and 1.66% respectively, attributable to soaring charges for outbound package tours, rising prices of gold jewellery, hairdressing services, fresh fish and seafood, and vegetables during the Lunar New Year period. However, price index of Clothing & Footwear dropped by 2.71% on account of seasonal sale of clothing. The average Composite CPI for the first two months of 2010 increased by 1.34% year-on-year. For the 12 months ended February 2010, the average Composite CPI rose by 0.78% over the preceding period. 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.
