Consumer prices rose 0.2% in November, equal to the increase in October, the Census & Statistics Department says, suggesting overall consumer price inflation is still modest.

November saw a moderated year-on-year decline in private housing rentals and renewed increase in the prices of fresh vegetables.

There was a decrease in the prices of children's outerclothing although the prices of jewelry and women's outerclothing went up moderately.

Housing costs stayed low due to the earlier fall-off in private residential rentals, offsetting the effect of an accelerated increase in the prices of food.

As domestic demand continues to strengthen and as retained import prices are further lifted by the weakness of the US dollar, mild consumer price inflation can be expected to continue.

The CPI(A) and CPI(B) rose 0.6% and 0.2% in November, larger than the corresponding increases of 0.4% and 0.1% in October. However, the CPI(C) fell 0.2% in November, after a dip of 0.1% in October.

Composite CPI dips 0.6% in last year

For the quarter ended November, the average monthly rates of increase in the seasonally adjusted Composite CPI, CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were all 0.1%, as against virtually nil change for the quarter ended October.

Price increases were recorded for electricity, gas and water (13.0%), food (4.0%), clothing and footwear (2.6%), miscellaneous goods (2.4%), miscellaneous services (0.9%), transport (0.9%), and meals bought away from home (0.6%).

On the other hand, price declines were recorded for housing (3.9%), durable goods (2%), and alcoholic drinks and tobacco (0.4%).

Taking the first 11 months of this year together, the Composite CPI dropped 0.5% from a year earlier. For the quarter and 12 months ended November, the Composite CPI rose 0.4% and dipped 0.6%.