Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the Composite CPI (110.85) for July 2011 increased by 5.96% year-on-year. The increment was attributable to higher charges for meals bought away from home, as well as rising prices of gasoline and garments. For the 12 months ended July 2011, the average Composite CPI increased by 4.59% from the previous period; the CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 4.24% and 4.75% respectively. In comparison with July 2010, notable increase was observed in the price index of Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+9.77%); Transport (+9.71%); Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+8.33%); and Clothing & Footwear (+7.35%) on account of dearer prices of fresh fish, fresh meat, gold jewellery, gasoline and LP gas, as well as rising charges for meals bought away from home, and hairdressing and grooming services. On the contrary, price index of Communication decreased by 8.35% year-on-year. The CPI-A (110.02) and CPI-B (111.17) for July 2011 increased by 5.72% and 6.11% respectively. The Composite CPI for July 2011 increased by 0.51% month-to-month, of which the price index of Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages rose by 1.01% upon rising prices of vegetables, fresh meat and fresh fish. In addition, price index of Recreation & Culture; and Transport rose by 0.94% and 0.85% month-to-month, with higher charges for outbound package tours, and dearer prices of airfare and ferry tickets; however, price index of Clothing & Footwear decreased by 1.55%. The CPI-A and CPI-B for July 2011 increased by 0.61% and 0.44% respectively month-to-month. The average Composite CPI for the first seven months of 2011 increased by 5.25% year-on-year; the CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 4.92% and 5.43% 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.
