XN000022-1996-03-21 — Page 12

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Meanwhile, those components with relatively slower year-on-year price increases than the overall average were durable goods (2.4% in CPI(A), 2% in CPI(B), 3.4% in Hang Seng CPI and 2.5% in Composite CPI); meals bought away from home (4%, 4.1%, 3.2% and 3.9%); fuel and light (4.6%, 4.5%, 3.7% and 4.4%); alcoholic drinks and tobacco (5.7%, 5.3%, 4.8% and 5.4%); and food (excluding meals bought away from home) (6.3%, 6.6%, 6.5% and 6.4%).

Comparing February 1996 with January 1996, CPI(A) and CPI(B) increased by 1.4% and 1.2% respectively. The corresponding increases for Hang Seng CPI and Composite CPI were 0.7% and 1.2% respectively.

For the three months ended February 1996, CPI(A) and CPI(B) were, on average, higher by 6.4% and 7.1% respectively over a year earlier. The corresponding increases for Hang Seng CPI and Composite CPI were 8% and 7.1% respectively.

For the 12 months ended February 1996, CPI(A) and CPI(B) were, on average, higher by 8.2% and 8.7% respectively than the preceding 12-month period. The corresponding increases for Hang Seng CPI and Composite CPI were 9.2% and 8.7% respectively.

Seasonally adjusted series are also available for CPIs. The seasonally adjusted monthly rate of increase in CPI(A) and CPI(B) increased by an average of 0.2% and 0.4% respectively during the three months ended February 1996. The corresponding increases for Hang Seng CPI and Composite CPI were both 0.3%.

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

More details are given in the Consumer Price Index Report for February 1996, which is on sale at $37 per copy from the Government Publications Centre, Queensway Government Offices, Low Block, ground floor, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong.

It is also available 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 at 2805 6403. Details regarding Hang Seng CPI are contained in the Hang Seng CPI Report issued by the Economic Research Department of Hang Seng Bank Ltd.