XN000022-1996-12-23 — Page 12

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Consumer Price Indices for November

In November 1996, consumer price inflation picked up modestly, but was still relatively moderate. As measured by the Consumer Price Index (A), the year-on-year rate of increase was 5.8% in November 1996. The increase recorded in October was

5.4%.

The year-on-year rate of increase in the Consumer Price Index (B), at 6.1% in November, was also higher than the 5.8% increase in October. The corresponding rate of increase in the Hang Seng CPI, at 5.8% in November, was however less rapid than the 6% increase in October.

The Composite CPI, which is compiled based on the combined expenditure pattern of all households, showed a year-on-year increase of 5.9% in November 1996, against 5.7% in October.

The Census and Statistics Department today (Monday) released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for November 1996.

A Government spokesman said that the faster year-on-year increases in the CPI(A) and CPI(B) in November than in October were mainly due to higher prices of some fresh food items.

As for the Hang Seng CPI, the less rapid increase in November than in October was mainly due to a more moderate increase in prices of meals bought away from home.

Analysed by component, faster year-on-year increases than the overall average in November were recorded for clothing and footwear (11.2% in CPI(A) and 9.6% in Composite CPI); housing (8.2% in CPI(A) and 8.5% in Composite CPI); fuel and light (7.9% in both CPI(A) and Composite CPI) and miscellaneous services (6.8% in CPI(A) and 6.2% in Composite CPI).

Meanwhile, those components with slower year-on-year increases in prices than the overall average were durable goods (1.7% in CPI(A) and 2% in Composite CPI); food (excluding meals bought away from home) (3.4% in CPI(A) and 3.5% in Composite CPI); meals bought away from home (3.7% in CPI(A) and 3.4% in Composite CPI) and miscellaneous goods (4.2% in CPI(A) and 3.4% in Composite CPI).