The numbers you need
... is the value of property sold last Saturday at auctions in Sydney and Melbourne. On the same Saturday last year the value was $233.5 million. Auction clearance rates are up significantly in both capital cities compared with the levels recorded a year ago.
6.1 per cent
... was the rate of full-time unemployment in July, up from 5.3 per cent a year ago. The overall unemployment rate is 5.7 per cent.
36.6 per cent
... is the percentage of households who hold a mortgage over their houses compared with outright ownership of 30.9 per cent and 30.3 per cent renting. Fifteen years ago, 41.3 per cent of houses were owned, 28.3 per cent mortgaged and 27.9 rented.
$1000
... is what the National Australia Bank will give you for switching your mortgage to it, plus it will waive the $600 application fee. The catch? The money will only be paid into a NAB transaction account.
1 million
... is the number of people lodging their tax return electronically with the Australian Tax Office by the end of July. Last year, 83 per cent of people who prepared their own tax returns used e-tax.
13.2 per cent
... is how much retail sales in China jumped over the year to July. At the same time annual inflation rose just 2.7 per cent.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
Last Saturday property sold at auction in Sydney and Melbourne was valued at $299.9 million, up from $233.5 million on the same Saturday a year earlier. For everyday investors, a higher auction turnover like this signals stronger market activity and demand compared with a year ago.
The article reports that auction clearance rates are up significantly in both Sydney and Melbourne compared with the levels recorded a year ago. Higher clearance rates generally indicate more successful sales at auction, which can reflect firmer seller conditions and buyer demand.
Full‑time unemployment was 6.1% in July, up from 5.3% a year earlier, while the overall unemployment rate was 5.7%. Rising unemployment can be a signal to investors to watch consumer spending and broader economic momentum, since labour market weakness can influence company earnings and asset prices.
Currently 36.6% of households hold a mortgage, 30.9% own their home outright and 30.3% rent. Fifteen years ago, 41.3% owned outright, 28.3% were mortgaged and 27.9% rented. The shift toward a higher share of mortgaged households suggests more households are carrying housing debt compared with a decade and a half ago, which can affect sensitivity to interest rates and household spending patterns.
NAB is offering $1,000 to customers who switch their mortgage to the bank and it will waive a $600 application fee. The important catch is that the $1,000 payment will only be paid into a NAB transaction account.
By the end of July, 1 million people had lodged their tax return electronically with the Australian Tax Office. By comparison, last year 83% of people who prepared their own returns used the ATO's e‑tax system.
Retail sales in China jumped 13.2% over the year to July, while annual inflation rose 2.7% over the same period. That combination points to relatively strong consumer spending alongside moderate inflation.
The article highlights stronger auction activity in major Australian cities, a rise in unemployment, and robust retail sales growth in China with modest inflation. Everyday investors can use these data points as part of a broader picture: monitor local housing market momentum, the direction of labour market trends, and overseas demand signals like China’s retail growth to help inform asset allocation and risk assessment.
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