The numbers you need

The article reports BHP Billiton expects to produce 217 million tonnes of iron ore in the Pilbara this financial year. For investors, that number is a measure of the miner's output capacity: higher production generally supports revenue and cash flow if prices remain stable. The piece also notes BHP beat its prior iron ore guidance by more than 2% for the year to June 30 and says it can produce beyond guidance for 2013–14, which signals strong operational performance.

Surpassing guidance by more than 2%—as the article states for the year to June 30—points to better-than-expected operational delivery. For everyday investors, that can mean improved confidence in management, potentially stronger near-term production volumes, and a positive indicator for commodity-linked earnings, though actual investor outcomes still depend on iron ore prices and other factors.

The Commonwealth Bank's business sales indicator measures annual growth in spending captured through the bank's eftpos system. The article says it grew 4.4% year-on-year, down from 10.6% in May. For investors, the 4.4% reading suggests spending tracked by CBA is still growing but at a noticeably slower pace than the previous month, which can be a signal of cooling consumer and small-business transaction activity.

A fall from 10.6% to 4.4% in the Commonwealth Bank business sales indicator—reported in the article—may indicate that transaction volumes and spending momentum have eased. Everyday investors often watch these trends because weaker spending growth can weigh on retail and consumer-facing companies, as well as broader economic sentiment.

The article cites $55.7 billion as the combined amount households and businesses owe on mortgages, personal loans and lease finance in May. This is a snapshot of credit outstanding and reflects that borrowing rose 6.6% over the year. For investors, the figure highlights the scale of credit in the economy and the recent growth in lending.

A 6.6% year-on-year rise in combined household and business borrowing, as noted in the article, indicates solid credit growth. For everyday investors, rising borrowing can support consumption and economic activity but also increases leverage and sensitivity to interest-rate changes—factors to consider for bank stocks, property-exposed companies and consumer discretionary investments.

The article states Credit Suisse's implied rates put the chance of a further 25 basis-point cut at the next Reserve Bank meeting at 64%. Implied rates reflect market pricing of monetary policy moves. A 64% probability suggests markets are leaning toward a rate cut, which can influence bond yields, bank margins, mortgage costs and interest-rate-sensitive sectors if it happens.

Based on the article's data—BHP's strong iron ore production, the Commonwealth Bank's slower 4.4% sales growth, $55.7 billion in outstanding household and business borrowing (up 6.6% year-on-year), and a 64% market-implied chance of a 25bp RBA cut—investors might expect mixed effects across sectors. Strong miner output could support resources shares, slower transaction growth could pressure retailers and consumer stocks, rising credit levels increase exposure to interest-rate moves, and a likely rate cut could benefit bond prices and rate-sensitive assets. Everyday investors should weigh sector exposure and interest-rate sensitivity when reviewing portfolios.