All eyes will be on Central Bank policy interest rate decisions this week as the US Federal Reserve’s anticipated rate cut takes center stage. Locally, the South African Reserve Bank’s MPC is expected to cut the repo rate for the first time since the repo rate was hiked to 8.25% in May 2023…
Last week, the US non-farm payrolls for August disappointed, with July’s figure revised downward too, further fueling the debate over how much, and not whether, the FED will cut rates in September. Locally, the South African economy showed signs of recovery as GDP numbers rose in the second quarter of the year…
After months of speculation, Fed chair Powell has declared the time right for ‘policy to adjust’ and for the interest rates cutting cycle to begin. Locally, SA is on an upward trend with commitment from both govt and business to address energy and logistics to stimulate economic growth…
Last week, U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) signaled potential interest rate cuts in the coming months as inflation risk is perceived to have diminished. South Africa’s inflation for July also cooled, paving the way for potential rate cuts by the SARB in September, potentially bringing much needed relief for South African consumers…
Last week US Consumer Price Inflation (CPI) came in a touch softer than expected with very minimal reaction from the market. Softer US inflation reinforced investor expectations of a Fed rate cut in September. Locally, retail sales numbers came in stronger than expected, demonstrating a resilient SA consumer in the face of high interest rates…
Last week, market risk aversion rose markedly following concerns about the possibility of a US recession. Meanwhile locally, foreign holdings of South African government bonds increased…
Last week, the Fed kept interest rates unchanged, but signalled they are moving closer to cutting rates on the back of easing inflation and cooling US non-farm payrolls data. Weaker than expected employment growth together with an increase in unemployment sparked fears of a slowdown in the US economy, prompting predictions of action by the Fed to cushion the economy…
With the US deflator coming in as expected, it has set the scene for the FED to start cutting rates as soon as its September meeting. Meanwhile, the SA core consumer inflation has eased, which should be a welcome relief for consumers…
With a persistent inflation outlook risk, it came as no surprise that the SARB kept the repo rate unchanged at 8,25 % last week. Meanwhile, all eyes are on VP Kamala Harris after President Biden’s decision to drop out of the presidential race, as markets remain unmoved…
Last week, markets increased bets on a September rate cut following the US CPI print, while domestically, the demand for South African local-currency bonds continues to surge buoyed by the newly minted GNU…
