Economy

Widespread stagnation in the SA economy – BankservAfrica Index

While cash-strapped consumers are struggling to finance monthly expenses, and the longest-running strikes in 20 years are undermining the foundations of the South African economy, the BankservAfrica Economic Transaction Index (BETI) reveals that economic transactions have indeed increased by less than one percent over the past year.

Businesses in distress?

The question has to be posed as to whether the sharp uptick in credit extension to businesses of 12.6% year-on-year in February from 11.1% in January and 7.5% for calendar 2013, is not a signal of ‘distress borrowing’.

Interest rate hike likely?

Economists are divided about the outcome of this week’s MPC meeting.

SA country outlook - inflation to peak above 8% in 2014