XN000022-1995-08-21 — Page 6

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Comparing July 1995 with July 1994, relatively faster price increases than the overall average were recorded for housing (12.8% in the CPI(A), 14.2% in the CPI(B) and 13.6% in the Composite CPI); miscellaneous services (11.3%, 10.8% and 10.5%); clothing and footwear (8.8%, 9.2% and 11.4%); and miscellaneous goods (8.7%, 7.5% and 7.9%).

On the other hand, relatively slower price increases than the overall average were recorded for durable goods (3.9% in both the CPI(A) and CPI(B) and 4.0% in the Composite CPI); food (excluding meals bought away from home) (4.7%, 5.3% and 5.1%); alcoholic drinks and tobacco (6.8%, 6.3% and 6.6%); meals bought away from home (7.0%, 6.9% and 7.1%); transport (7.2%, 7.5% and 7.2%); and fuel and light (8.2%, 8.5% and 8.1%).

Comparing July 1995 with June 1995, both the CPI(A) and CPI(B) increased by 0.3%. The corresponding increase for the Composite CPI was 0.2%.

Taking the first seven months together, the increases in the CPI(A) and CPI(B) averaged at 9.2% and 9.8% respectively over a year earlier. The corresponding increase for the Composite CPI was 9.6%.

For the three months ended July 1995, the CPI(A) and CPI(B) were, on average, higher by 8.8% and 9.4% respectively over a year earlier. The corresponding increase for the Composite CPI was 9.3%.

For the 12 months ended July 1995, the CPI(A) and CPI(B) were, on average, higher by 9.0% and 9.6% respectively than in the preceding 12-month period. The corresponding increase for the Composite CPI was 9.5%.

Seasonally adjusted series are also available for the CPIs. The deseasonalised CPI(A) and CPI(B) both increased at an average rate of 0.5% per month during the three months ended July 1995. The corresponding increase for the Composite CPI was 0.6%.

Further details are shown in Tables 1-2 and Charts 1-4.

More details are given in the "Consumer Price Index Report" for July 1995, which is available at $23 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.