+
7 -
Taking the first five months of 1996 together, the increase in the CPI(A) and The CPI(B) averaged at 6.5% and 7.2% respectively over a year earlier. corresponding increases for the Hang Seng CPI and Composite CPI were 7.9% and 7.1% respectively.
For the 12 months ended May 1996, the CPI(A) and CPI(B) were, on average, higher by 7.5% and 8.1% respectively than the preceding 12-month period. The corresponding increases for the Hang Seng CPI and Composite CPI were 8.7% and 8.1% respectively.
The new, 1994/95-based CPI series has been complied starting from October 1995 and is therefore not long enough for making year-on-year comparison. Neverthe, they may be used to analyse the short-term month to month price movemen Comparing May 1996 with April 1996, the 1994/95-based CPI(A) decreased marginally, by 0.2%. On the other hand, the CPI(B), Hang Seng CPI and Composit CPI showed small increases, by 0.1%, 0.9% and 0.2% respectively.
The seasonally adjusted monthly rate of increase in the 1994/95-based CPI(A) and CPI(B) averaged 0.7% and 0.6% respectively during the three months ended May 1996. The corresponding increases for the Hang Seng CPI and Composite CPI were both 0.7%.
Further details are shown in Tables 1-2 and Charts 1-4.
More details are given in the "Consumer Price Index Report" for May 1996, which is available at $37 per copy from the Government Publications Centre, Queensway Government Offices, Low Block, ground floor, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong; or from the Publications Unit of the Census and Statistics Department, 19th floor, Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.
For local and overseas mailings, contact should be made with the Information Services Department, 28th floor, Siu On Centre, 188 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.
For enquiries about the indices, please telephone the Consumer Price Index Section of the Census and Statistics Department on 2805 6403.