Annual growth in Australian consumer prices held steady in January as a rise in electricity costs was offset by a slowdown in the important housing sector, an outcome that should reassure policymakers that inflation is heading in the right direction.

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased 0.5% on a seasonally adjusted basis in January, after rising 0.4% in December, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.

Australian consumer prices dipped month-on-month in January, dragged lower by a slowdown in housing costs and a drop in holiday travel, an outcome that should help reassure policymakers that inflation is heading in the right direction.

CPI indicator rose 2.5% in the 12 months to January. • The top contributors to the annual movement were Food and non-alcoholic beverages (+3.3%), Housing (+2.1%), and Alcohol and tobacco (+6.4%). • Partly offsetting the annual rise in the monthly CPI indicator was a fall for Electricity

The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose by 3.0% in the 12 months to January 2025, up from 2.5% in the 12 months to December 2024. On a monthly basis, CPI fell by 0.1% in January 2025, compared with a 0.6% fall in January 2024.

Australias consumer prices dipped in January, offering relief to policymakers aiming to curb inflation. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed the monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell 0.