Highlights:

1. Consumer prices rose 1.4% in the 12 months to May, following a 1.8% increase in April. On a non-seasonally adjusted monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.3% in May, the same rate of increase posted the previous month.

All-items Consumer Price Index (CPI):

1. In May, prices at the pump were 6.9% higher than a year earlier after increasing 16.3% the previous month.
2. In addition, natural gas prices rose 4.7% in May, after posting a 3.3% gain in April. The increase recorded in May was the second consecutive rise after several months of decline.
3. Prices for fuel oil and other fuels rose 19.9% in May.
4. Energy prices rose 6.2% between May 2009 and May 2010, following a 9.8% increase during the 12-month period to April.
5. Prices for the purchase of passenger vehicles rose for the fifth consecutive month. These prices increased 5.1% following a 5.3% increase in April.
6. Six of the eight major components of the CPI recorded price increases in the 12 months to May.

Main contributors to the 12-month change in the CPI:

Main upward contributors:

1. Purchase of passenger vehicles (+5.1%)
2. Gasoline (+6.9%)
3. Passenger vehicle insurance premiums (+5.1%)
4. Homeowner’s replacement cost (+4.4%)
5. Telephone services (+5.4%)

Main downward contributors:

1. Mortgage interest cost (-5.4%)
2. Furniture (-4.3%)
3. Video equipment (-15.2%)
4. Women’s clothing (-3.7%)

Main contributors to the monthly change in the CPI, not seasonally adjusted:

Main upward contributors:

1. Electricity (+4.2%)
2. Passenger vehicle insurance premiums (+2.6%)
3. Traveller accommodation (+4.4 %)
4. Homeowner’s replacement cost (+0.8%)
5. Fresh fruit (+3.2 %)

Main downward contributors:

1. Women’s clothing (-4.3%)
2. Gasoline (-0.5%)
3. Non-alcoholic beverages (-2.6 %)
4. Fresh vegetables (-2.0 %)
5. Men’s clothing (-1.0%)