Overview
- ABS data show the monthly household spending indicator rose 1.3% in October to A$78.4 billion, pushing annual growth to 5.6%.
- Discretionary purchases drove the gains as promotions boosted clothing, footwear, furnishings and electronics, while concerts and festivals lifted hospitality and hotel stays.
- Goods outlays climbed 1.7% and services spending rose 0.8%, with PerthNow reporting increases across all nine ABS categories.
- Headline inflation quickened to 3.8% in October and the trimmed mean reached 3.3%, both pressuring the RBA’s 2–3% target band.
- Three-year yields hit 4.035% as investors priced a split chance of a May hike and about 30 basis points of tightening by end‑2026, while the cash rate remains 3.6% with a hold expected next week.