Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the Composite CPI (111.48) for September 2011 increased by 6.51% year-on-year. The increment was driven by higher charges for meals bought away from home and dearer prices of gasoline. For the 12 months ended September 2011, the average Composite CPI increased by 5.11% from the previous period; the CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 4.78% and 5.28% respectively. In comparison with September 2010, significant increase was observed in the price index of Transport (+10.63%); Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+10.30%); Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+9.30%); and Clothing & Footwear (+7.00%) on account of dearer prices of gasoline, gold jewellery, airfare, women's clothing, 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 upon lowered charges for internet service. The CPI-A (110.66) and CPI-B (111.85) for September 2011 increased by 6.15% and 6.75% respectively. The Composite CPI for September 2011 increased by 0.61% month-to-month, of which the price index of Education; Housing & Fuels; and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages increased by 1.77%, 1.15% and 1.05% respectively. However, price index of Recreation & Culture and Clothing & Footwear fell by 1.39% and 1.36% respectively. The CPI-A and CPI-B increased by 0.78% and 0.60% respectively month-to-month. The Composite CPI for the third quarter of 2011 rose by 6.21% over the same quarter of 2010, with marked increase in the price index of Transport (+10.33%) and Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+10.14%). The CPI-A and the CPI-B increased by 5.89% and 6.41% year-on-year respectively. The average Composite CPI for the first nine months of 2011 increased by 5.49% year-on-year; the CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 5.15% and 5.68% 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.
