Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the Composite CPI (110.29) for June 2011 increased by 5.65% year-on-year. The increment was attributable to higher charges for meals bought away from home and rising gasoline prices. For the 12 months ended June 2011, the average Composite CPI increased by 4.34% from the previous period; the CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 3.96% and 4.51% respectively. In comparison with June 2010, notable increase was observed in the price index of Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+9.69%); Transport (+9.32%); and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+7.52%) on account of dearer prices of fresh fish, fruit, gold jewellery, gasoline, airfare and LP gas, as well as higher insurance premium of motor vehicles, rising charges for meals bought away from home, and hairdressing and grooming services. On the contrary, price index of Communication decreased by 8.32% year-on-year. The CPI-A (109.35) and CPI-B (110.68) for June 2011 increased by 5.30% and 5.82% respectively. The Composite CPI for June 2011 increased by 0.76% month-to-month, of which the price index of Clothing & Footwear rose by 2.13% upon rising prices of women's clothings and footwear; however, price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco; and Communication decreased by 0.16% and 0.10% respectively. The CPI-A and CPI-B for June 2011 increased by 0.75% and 0.76% respectively month-to-month. The average Composite CPI for the first half year of 2011 increased by 5.13% over the same period of 2010, with marked increase in the price index of Transport (+8.55%); Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+8.27%); and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+6.65%). On the other hand, price index of Communication registered a decrease of 8.28%. The CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 4.78% and 5.31% 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.
