Information from Statistics and Census Service indicated that the Composite CPI for May 2006 was 108.16, up by 0.56% over April, which was primarily attributable to the increase in the price indices of Housing & fuels; Communication; and Food & non-alcoholic beverages. Compared with April 2006, the indices of Communication; Clothing & footwear; and Housing & fuels rose by 3.79%, 1.89% and 0.71% respectively. The increment was led by the rising long-distance call (IDD) charges after the end of the discount offered, which was coupled with the price increase in women’s clothing and higher rentals for housing. The price index of Food & non-alcoholic beverages, which contributes more significantly to the movements of the overall index due to its relative importance, increased by 0.45% as a result of the dearer prices of vegetables after heavy rains. Recreation & culture, however, was the only section that recorded a decrease of 1.11% in the index, on account of lower outbound package tour charges after the Easter holidays. The Composite CPI for May 2006 registered a year-on-year increase of 6.33%. Average Composite CPI for January to May went up by 5.82% compared with the same period of 2005. For the 12 months ended May 2006, the average Composite CPI increased by 5.44% over the previous period. In addition, the CPI-A and CPI-B for May 2006 were 109.10 and 107.91, up by 0.61% and 0.55% respectively compared with April. Starting from January 2006, the CPI has been rebased to July 2004 to June 2005. The Composite CPI reflects the impacts of price changes for the general population. The CPI-A relates to about 49% of households, which had an average monthly expenditure of MOP 3,000 to MOP 9,999; the CPI-B relates to about 31% of households, which had an average monthly expenditure of MOP 10,000 to MOP 19,999.
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