Consumer Price Index falls 0.2 per cent

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell 0.2 per cent in the March quarter 2016 according to latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

This follows a rise of 0.4 per cent in the December quarter 2015.

The CPI rose 1.3 per cent through the year to the March quarter 2016, following a rise of 1.7 per cent through the year to the December quarter 2015.

The fall in the CPI this quarter was broad based, with six out of the eleven CPI groups recording a fall for the quarter.

The most significant fall occurred in transport (–2.5 per cent), due to automotive fuel (–10.0 per cent) falling for the third consecutive quarter.

Recreation and culture (–1.0 per cent) was the second most significant contributor, with falls in both international holiday travel and accommodation (–2.0 per cent) and domestic holiday travel and accommodation (–1.9 per cent).

Food and non–alcoholic beverages (–0.2 per cent) also fell this quarter, with fruit (–11.1 per cent) providing the most significant contribution.

These falls were partially offset by rises in secondary education (+4.6 per cent), medical and hospital services (+1.6 per cent) and pharmaceutical products (+4.8 per cent).

Author: Martin North

Martin North is the Principal of Digital Finance Analytics

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