Consumer Price Indices down 1.3% in March

According to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures released by the Census and Statistics Department today , overall consumer prices, as indicated by the Composite CPI, declined by 1.3% in March 2001 over a year earlier, smaller than the 2.1% year-on-year decrease in February 2001.Smaller declines were likewise observed in all the three sub-indices. The CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) fell by 1.4%, 1.4% and 1.1% respectively in March 2001 over a year earlier, as compared to decreases of 1.9%, 2.2% and 2.0% in February 2001.The smaller year-on-year decreases in the CPIs in March 2001 than in February 2001 were mainly attributable to a smaller decline in the prices of outerclothing and, to a lesser extent, a rise in the charges for package tours during the Census holidays. Also contributed was a further narrowing in the decline of private housing rentals.

Related stock : (NIL)