The numbers you need

5.09 per cent

... is the average three-year fixed rate mortgage. But fixed rates are starting to rise as lenders anticipate the cash rate will have to rise from its historic low of 2.5 per cent.

10.3 per cent

... was the annual increase in Chinese industrial production in October, beating the expectation of 10 per cent and a good sign for commodity prices.

84.3 years

... is the life expectancy of a girl born today which, with the 79.9 years for a boy, is the highest life expectancy estimate ever recorded in Australia. For those who've already reached 65, men can expect to live 19 years more and woman a further 22 years.

204,000

... was the increase in US payrolls in October which, along with upward revisions of the previous few months shows the US recovery is picking up pace.

36 per cent

... is how much the banks have contributed to all dividends paid in the 2012-2013 financial year, up from 24 per cent five years ago.