Sale sign in the window of a clothing shop.
Millions of homeowners are firmly at risk of being hit by an interest rate hike next week after new inflation data came in hotter than expected.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the consumer price index (CPI) climbed to 3.8% over the past year as of December, an increase from November’s 3.4%. This figure surpassed the anticipated 3.5% predicted by economists.

The trimmed mean – the Reserve Bank’s preferred measure of underlying inflation – also rose to 3.3 per cent, comfortably above the central bank’s target range.
Sale sign in the window of a clothing shop.
Inflation has picked up once again.(Joe Armao/The Age)

The rise in costs is particularly noticeable in essential goods. Prices for coffee, tea, and cocoa have surged by 15.3%, while the cost of lamb and goat has escalated by 13.4%. Beef and veal have also seen a significant increase, up by 10.8%.

Additionally, should interest rates rise by 0.25%, it could translate to an extra $115 monthly on the average $694,000 mortgage fee.

In total, these hikes could lead the typical Australian household to spend an extra $2,192 throughout the year.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is set to announce its next decision on interest rates this coming Tuesday.

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The information provided on this website is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice. The information has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information on this website you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.

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