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Comparing March 1996 with February 1996, the CPI(A) and CPI(B) increased by 0.6% and 0.5% respectively. The corresponding increases for the Hang Seng CPI and Composite CPI were both 0.5%.

For the first quarter of 1996, the CPI(A) and CPI(B) were, on average, higher by 6.4% and 7.1% respectively over a year earlier. The corresponding increases for the Hang Seng CPI and Composite CPI were 8.1% and 7.1% respectively. These increases

were much lower than the corresponding increases of 7.7%, 8.1%, 8.7% and 8.2% in the fourth quarter of 1995.

For the 12 months ended March 1996, the CPI(A) and CPI(B) were, on average, higher by 7.9% and 8.5% respectively than the preceding 12-month period. The corresponding increases for the Hang Seng CPI and Composite CPI were 9.1% and 8.5% respectively.

Seasonally adjusted series are also available for the CPIs. The seasonally adjusted monthly rate of increase in the CPI(A) and CPI(B) increased by an average of 0.7% and 0.8% respectively during the three months ended March 1996. The corresponding increases for the Hang Seng CPI and Composite CPI were 0.6% and 0.7% respectively.

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

More details are given in the "Consumer Price Index Report" for March 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.

Enquiries about the indices can be made to the Consumer Price Index Section of the Census and Statistics Department on 2805 6403.

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