r
3.
The rate of increase in the Consumer Price Index (B) and the Hang Seng CPI were 10.0% and 9.9% respectively, compared with the corresponding increases of 9.6% and 9.7% in February.
The Composite CPI, which is compiled based on the combined expenditure pattern of households 'covered by the three CPIs, showed an increase of 9.8% in March 1995 over the same month in 1994. This was also higher than the corresponding increase of 9.4% in February.
Comparing March 1995 with March 1994, relatively faster price increases than the overall average increase were recorded for housing (13.2% in the CPI(A) and 14.5% in the CPI(B)); clothing and footwear (12.2% and 13.5%); miscellaneous services (11.8% and 11.1%); and fuel and light (10.2% and 10.3%).
On the other hand, relatively slower price increases than the overall average increase were recorded for durable goods (3.9% in the CPI(A) and 4.4% in the CPI(B)); meals bought away from home (6.9% and 6.7%); alcoholic drinks and tobacco (7.1% and 6.4%); food (excluding meals bought away from home) (8.2% and 8.0%); transport (8.6% and 8.5%); and miscellaneous goods (8.4% and 7.2%).
Comparing March 1995 with February 1995, the CPI(A), CPI(B) and Composite CPI all increased by 0.5%.
For the first quarter of 1995, the CPI(A) and CPI(B) were, on average, higher by 9.5% and 10.0% respectively over a year earlier. The corresponding increase for the Composite CPI was 9.8%.
For the 12 months ended March 1995, the CPI(A) and CPI(B) were, on average, higher by 8.7% and 9.2% respectively than in the preceding 12-month period. The corresponding increase for the Composite CPI was 9.2%.
Seasonally adjusted series are also available for the CPIs. The deseasonalised CPI(A) and CPI(B) increased at an average rate of 0.7% and 0.8% per month during the three months ended March 1995. The corresponding increase for the Composite CPI was 0.6%.
Further details are shown in Tables 1-2 and Charts 1-4.