XN000022-1977-03-23 — Page 4

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1977

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CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR FEBRUARY ******

THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) FOR FEBRUARY 1977 WAS 118, THREE POINTS HIGHER THAN THAT FOR THE PREVIOUS MONTH.

THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS ROSE BY SIX POINTS. THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF SALT WATER FISH, FRESH WATER FISH, PORK, LIVE POULTRY AND FRESH VEGETABLES ADVANCED AS A RESULT OF HEAVY DEMAND DURING THE CHINESE NEW YEAR AND A REDUCTION IN SUPPLIES.

THE INDEX FOR SERVICES ROSE BY FOUR POINTS, MAINLY BECAUSE OF TEMPORARY HIGHER CHARGES FOR HAIRDRESSING BEFORE THE CHINESE NEW YEAR. THE FOUR-POINT RISE IN THE INDEX FOR TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO INCREASED CHARGES FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUS FARES DURING THE CHINESE NEW YEAR. THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT ADVANCED BY ONE POINT OWING TO HIGHER ELECTRICITY CHARGES FOLLOWING INCREASED COST OF FUEL OIL.

MOVEMENTS IN THE INDEXES FOR THE OTHER COMMODITY SECTIONS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (B) FOR FEBRUARY 1977 WAS 118, THREE POINTS HIGHER THAN THE PREVIOUS MONTH RECORD.

THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS ROSE BY FIVE POINTS. THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF SALT WATER FISH, FRESH WATER FISH, PORK, LIVE POULTRY AND FRESH VEGETABLES ADVANCED AS A RESULT OF HEAVY DEMAND DURING THE CHINESE NEW YEAR AND A REDUCTION IN SUPPLIES.

THE INDEX FOR SERVICES ROSE BY THREE POINTS, MAINLY BECAUSE OF TEMPORARY HIGHER CHARGES FOR HAIRDRESSING BEFORE THE CHINESE NEW YEAR. THE TWO-POINT RISE IN THE INDEX FOR TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO INCREASED CHARGES FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUS FARES DURING THE CHINESE NEW YEAR. THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT ADVANCED BY ONE POINT OWING TO HIGHER ELECTRICITY CHARGES FOLLOWING INCREASED COST OF FUEL OIL.

MOVEMENTS IN THE INDEXES FOR THE OTHER COMMODITY SECTIONS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

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