The numbers you need
... is the underlying annual rate of inflation measured by the consumer price index in the June quarter and used by the Reserve Bank in its interest-rate deliberations. The central bank's inflation target is between 2 per cent and 3 per cent.
323.8 points
... is the level of the Mums and Dads Index compiled by brokers CommSec, a measure of the total return — that is, price plus dividends — of the most popularly held shares. It's just 1.4 per cent below the record high reached in April.
153.5¢ a litre
... is the national average unleaded petrol price, the highest in five months, the Australian Institute of Petroleum says.
34.7 per cent
... is how much Sydney rents have grown since the end of 2007. In Melbourne, rents have grown by 24.4 per cent. In both cities, property prices have risen by 20 per cent.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
The underlying annual inflation rate measured by the consumer price index (CPI) in the June quarter is 2.4%. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) uses this underlying CPI reading in its interest‑rate deliberations to assess whether inflation is within its 2–3% target band.
The RBA’s inflation target of 2–3% is the benchmark it uses when setting policy. With the June quarter underlying CPI at 2.4%—inside that target—investors can see inflation is currently in the RBA’s preferred range, which is one factor the central bank considers when deciding on interest rates that can influence cash yields, borrowing costs and market sentiment.
The Mums and Dads Index, compiled by brokers CommSec, measures the total return (price plus dividends) of the most popularly held shares. At 323.8 points, it’s a snapshot of how widely held retail stocks are performing and is useful for everyday investors tracking broad retail‑share returns.
A reading of 323.8 points is just 1.4% below the record high that was reached in April, indicating the basket of popular shares tracked by CommSec is trading near its best levels and reflecting relatively strong total returns for those holdings.
The national average unleaded petrol price is 153.5¢ a litre, which is the highest in five months according to the Australian Institute of Petroleum. Rising petrol prices can increase everyday transport costs and squeeze household budgets, so investors and consumers often watch these figures for short‑term cost pressure.
Since the end of 2007, Sydney rents have grown by 34.7% and Melbourne rents have grown by 24.4%, showing significant long‑term increases in rental costs in both major cities.
Property prices in both Sydney and Melbourne have risen by 20% since the end of 2007. Over the same period rents have increased more—34.7% in Sydney and 24.4% in Melbourne—so rental growth has outpaced price growth in that timeframe.
The article highlights a few useful sources: the CPI underlying inflation figure used by the RBA for interest‑rate decisions, the CommSec Mums and Dads Index for popular‑share total returns, and petrol price data from the Australian Institute of Petroleum for short‑term household cost trends.
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