The Extended Consumer Price Index-15 (IPCA-15) changed by 0.78% in November and was above the rate of the previous month (0.56%). The index accumulated in the year was 5.48% and in the last twelve months, 6.36% (from October 2004 to November 2005).

Transportation and food products accounted for 64% of the rate this month

The Extended Consumer Price Index-15 (IPCA-15) changed by 0.78% in November and was above the rate of the previous month (0.56%). The index accumulated in the year was 5.48% and in the last twelve months, 6.36% (from October 2004 to November 2005). The prices for the calculation of the November rate were collected between October 12 and November 14 and compared to those in effect between September 13 and October 11.

Transportation and food products, groups which make up almost half of the average family expenses, accounted for 64% of IPCA-15 in November. Transportation, with change of 1.31% and impact of 0.29 percentage points, was affected by airplane fares (13.21%), alcohol (7.66%), urban bus fares (1.48%) and gasoline (1.26%).

Regarding gasoline, Goiânia was one of the main contributors to the result obtained, once a liter of this fuel became 10.99% more expensive in the city. This situation shows that fuel distributors delayed the price readjustment which occurred in refineries in September. Concerning alcohol, the result was also influenced by Goiânia, where prices rose by 17.03%. The city also contributed to the results of this group in general, due to the rise of urban bus fares (20%) in October. Besides that, the readjustment of 13% of bus fares in the metropolitan area of Salvador, on October 1^st, was entirely incorporated into the November index.

In the group food products and beverages, the growth rate was 0.99%, due, mainly, to food products containing proteins. The price of meats rose by 5.58% and was the major individual contribution in the month (0.15 percentage points). Similarly to meats, jerky (5.86%) fish (2.07%) and chicken (1.79%) are also more expensive now. Products in natura such as potatoes (16.68%) and tomatoes (8.98%) followed a similar trend.

Electric energy

, with rise of 1.27%, also contributed to the increase of IPCA-15. The result is a consequence of the readjustments in the metropolitan areas of Fortaleza (7.48%) and Recife (15.78%). The change in Fortaleza results from the readjustment by 8.5% on October 8^th. In Recife, the readjustment was entirely in accordance with the monthly index, once fares have been more expensive since September 14th.

Other items which influenced on the result were apparel (1.15%), domestic employees (1.07%), recreation (1.07%), health insurance plans (1.01%) and condominium taxes (0.88%).

Among the areas surveyed, the highest result was that of Goiânia (2.14%). In this city the prices of food products became up to 2.30% more expensive, especially meats (8.94%) and chicken (5.16%). Besides food products, the rise of transportation (6.70%) was also significant, once this group aggregated 70% of the November index (1.49 percentage points). The lowest IPCA-15 was that of Porto Alegre (044%).

IPCA-15 refers to families whose monetary income, from any source, ranges from 1 to 40 minimum wages. It encompasses the metropolitan areas of Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre, Belo Horizonte, Recife, São Paulo, Belém, Fortaleza, Salvador and Curitiba, besides Brasília and Goiânia. The methodology applied is the same as that of IPCA. The difference between the two indexes lies in the period of data collection.

The complete tables are available on the IBGE web site (

www.ibge.gov.br). Click on the text and then on "Conjuncture Indicator"