Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Composite CPI (117.82) for September 2012 increased by 5.69% year-on-year, attributable to higher charges for meals bought away from home and dearer prices of vegetables. For the 12 months ended September 2012, the average Composite CPI increased by 6.39% from the preceding period; the average CPI-A and CPI-B also rose by 6.54% and 6.60% respectively. In comparison with September 2011, notable increase was observed in the price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+33.83%); Household Goods & Furnishings (+7.80%); and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+7.40%) on account of dearer prices of vegetables, higher charges for meals bought away from home and domestic services. On the contrary, price index of Education and Communication decreased by 3.06% and 0.41% respectively year-on-year. The CPI-A (117.46) and CPI-B (118.37) increased by 6.14% and 5.83% respectively year-on-year. The Composite CPI increased slightly by 0.01% month-to-month. Rising charges for domestic services, as well as dearer prices of gold jewellery pushed up the price index of Household Goods & Furnishings (+1.34%); and Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+1.11%). However, price index of Education; Clothing & Footwear; and Recreation & Culture fell by 3.20%, 1.97% and 1.47% due to increase in tuition subsidy, seasonal sale of clothing and reduced charges for package tours. The CPI-A increased by 0.09% month-to-month, while CPI-B decreased by 0.01%. The Composite CPI for the third quarter of 2012 rose by 6.02% over the same quarter of 2011, of which price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco; Housing & Fuels; and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages saw noticeable increase, while that of Communication registered a decrease. The CPI-A and the CPI-B for the third quarter of 2012 increased by 6.46% and 6.18% respectively year-on-year. The average Composite CPI for the first nine months of 2012 increased by 6.29% year-on-year; the CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 6.53% and 6.51% 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.
