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Repo on hold for now, but higher interest rates expected by year-end already

25 May 2018 | General

The risks to the inflation outlook have tilted to the upside since the central bank’s last Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in mid-March. In a statement following this week’s gathering of policymakers, South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Governor Lesetja Kganyago noted that the key drivers of elevated inflationary expectations were a slight weakening in the rand exchange rate (5% against the US dollar over the past two months) and increasing Brent crude oil prices, which recently broke through the psychological ceiling of $80 per barrel.

Is it the end of the interest rate cutting cycle

25 May 2018 | General

The South African Reserve Bank Governor, Lesetja Kganyago, announced the view to keep interest rates unchanged at 6.5% and is aligned to market expectations. The outcome was anticipated due to the initial effects of the 1% VAT rate increase manifesting in the latest inflation figure, which rose to a four-month high from 3.8% in March to 4.5% in April.

Inflation climbs in April after VAT increase

23 May 2018 | General

SARB is unlikely to change interest rates this week

Consecutive fuel price hikes may hit consumers hardest

02 May 2018 | General

South Africa’s agricultural sector has powered relatively well post the devastating drought two years ago, helping the country avoid a recession in 2017 and assisted in taming inflation with robust output. Apart from favourable production conditions across the country except for the Western Cape, the sector benefited from relatively lower Brent crude oil prices and a stronger exchange rate because of their effect on agriculture input costs such as fuel, fertilizers and pesticides.

quick poll

Question

If you had to hazard a guess, when do you reckon the COFI Bill will be signed into law?

Answer

2026, as promised 2027 looks more likely Impossible to say More consultation needed

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