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Business confidence stable at a low level

09 March 2016

The RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) was unchanged at 36 in the first quarter of 2016. This means that around two thirds of the 1750 respondents surveyed remained unsatisfied with business conditions early in the year.

Europe liquidations lower 2015

02 March 2016

Europe experienced an overall reduction in liquidations in 2014 and 2015. Most noticeable were Spain where liquidations were 28% lower in 2014 compared to 2013 and down 25% in 2015 compared to 2014. In the Netherlands liquidations were 22% and 24% lower respectively.

What if SA debt is downgraded to junk?

01 March 2016

According to Arthur Kamp, Investment Economist at Sanlam Investments, the South African economy is in a downswing (at the very least a growth recession) and is experiencing its slowest income growth since the past recession. This, among other factors, places SA at risk of a credit downgrade. What will happen to your portfolio should rating agencies act on their concerns and downgrade SA debt to sub-investment grade?