The rand had staged a bit of a comeback over the past week or so as analysts expect the US to only hike interest rates next year.
But it was all change for the local currency this morning as it took a knock after the release of import and export data from China.
Let's take a closer look at what's going on…
Chinese imports slide over 20%
This morning, the rand was under pressure as... ››› more
Yesterday, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) released its global economic growth forecasts. The organisation cut its growth forecasts for this year and next.
The forecasts are lower than others, including the South African Reserve Bank's.
So what does the IMF think lies ahead for SA?
Let's take a closer look…
The IMF pencils in lower economic growth
The IMF believes that ec... ››› more
Yesterday, the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) revealed that business confidence in the country hit a 22 year low last month.
So what's causing business confidence to continue to fall?
Let's take a closer look…
Business confidence plunged to 81.6
Last month, business confidence sunk to hit “its lowest level since the end of apartheid,” reports Fin24. Thi... ››› more
On Friday, the Department of Energy announced what was in store for fuel prices this month.
The department revealed that prices would move up and down, it all depends on what fuel you use.
Let's take a closer look…
What’s going on with fuel prices?
The Department of Energy said that users of 93 grade petrol will see the price fall by 2c a litre from Wednesday, reports Fin24. On ... ››› more
There has been fierce opposition to the introduction of new visa requirements.
Now the tourism industry is pleading with the South African government to scrap the changes.
Tourism figures are sharply down. And this comes at a time when South Africa is in much need of tourists visiting and spending in the country.
Let's take a closer look at what's going on…
The impact of new visa ... ››› more
Yesterday, the Department of Trade and Industry released its new vehicle sales data for September.
The data showed that new vehicle sales in South Africa are under severe pressure, but the export market continues to improve.
Let's take a closer look at what the data showed…
Domestic new vehicle sales dropped 9%
The Department of Trade and Industry showed that South African new veh... ››› more
Yesterday, SARS released its trade data for the month of August.
The trade deficit grew to nine times greater than July's deficit and was much greater than economists forecast.
So what led to the trade deficit widening so much?
Let's take a closer look…
The trade deficit widens to R9.95 billion
The trade deficit grew from R1.1 billion in July to R9.95 billion in August, report... ››› more
Just as the rand managed to claw back some of last week's losses against the dollar yesterday, today it lost its grip.
The South African currency has plunged to new record lows against the greenback as worries intensify over the state of the Chinese economy.
Let's take a closer look at what's going on…
Traders are shunning the risky rand
The rand hit R14.13 to the dollar in earlie... ››› more
Last week, the rand hit new lows against the dollar and the euro.
The local currency has started this week off slightly stronger, but with a mass of economic data releases due out, volatility is sure to remain.
Let's take a closer look at what's going on…
Speculation over US interest rates will continue to dominate
As the rand clawed back some of its losses against the dollar, the... ››› more
Yesterday, whilst many South Africans were enjoying Heritage Day, the rand took a hefty knock.
The local currency weakened sharply, hitting new lows against the dollar and the euro, and trading near an all-time low against the pound.
The performance of the rand comes down greatly to concerns about slowing growth in China.
Let's take a closer look at what's going on…
The rand plung... ››› more
Earlier today, Stats SA released its consumer inflation data for last month. The consumer price index (CPI) showed that inflation eased slightly on an annual basis.
The upward pressures on inflation have subsided thanks to a lower oil price, which led to lower fuel prices.
Let's take a closer look at what the data revealed…
Consumer inflation comes in at 4.6% for August
Consumer i... ››› more
Earlier today, the South African Reserve Bank's monetary policy committee decided to keep interest rates unchanged for the moment.
This follows the US Federal Reserve's decision last week to keep its interest rates also on hold.
Let's take a closer look at the Reserve Bank's decision…
Interest rates remain unchanged as inflationary pressures ease
The governor of the Reserve Bank, ... ››› more
Tomorrow afternoon, the South African Reserve Bank's monetary policy committee meeting will conclude.
Will the committee decide to hike rates or will it keep then unchanged?
Let's take a look…
Interest rates may rise in November
Thanks to the US Federal Reserve keeping its interest rates unchanged last Thursday, it looks likely that the Reserve Bank will follow its lead, reports F... ››› more
Yesterday, Stats SA released its retail sales data covering July.
On an annual basis the key economic figure showed growth was higher than economists expected. But it was less than the growth seen during June.
Let's take a closer look at what the data showed…
Retail sales grew 3.3% in July
Retail sales came in at 3.3% on an annual basis in July, says BDLive. This is down from the... ››› more
Yesterday, the South African Reserve Bank released its latest figures on the current account. Data showed that the current account deficit eased for the second quarter of the year.
The data surprised economists who had forecast a reduction, but not by as large a margin. The rand gained on the news.
Let's take a closer look…
The current account deficit is now at its smallest in four y... ››› more
Today saw the release of the RMB/BER business confidence index data for the third quarter of this year.
The data showed that the index is now sitting at levels not seen since 2011.
So what's putting pressure on the index?
Let's take a closer look…
Business confidence dips again
The business confidence index (BCI), which the Bureau for Economic Research conducts and Rand Merchan... ››› more
After starting off the week on the back foot, pressure hasn't let up on the rand.
Yesterday, the local currency traded through R14 to the dollar, a new record low against the greenback.
So what's going on with the rand? Why is it continuing to fall?
Let's take a look…
The rand hits R14 to the dollar
By late afternoon yesterday, the rand hit R14.0175 go the dollar, says Fin24. T... ››› more
The rand has kicked off the week weaker than its close on Friday. The currency has been under immense pressure over the past few weeks.
Over the weekend, the governor of the Reserve Bank said it won't step in to stem the currency's losses.
The rand has weakened again this morning and is getting close to R14 to the greenback.
Let's take a closer look…
The rand weakens further
Th... ››› more
The rand hit the skids again yesterday.
The release of business confidence data along with the purchasing managers index (PMI) showed the SA economy is struggling to grow.
And later today, the US will release its non-farm payrolls. This is adding further pressure to the rand.
Let's take a closer look at what's going on…
The rand is feeling the heat
Yesterday, the rand traded th... ››› more
Yesterday, shares in retailer Mr Price Group fell over 13%.
The company released its trading update for the 21 weeks to 22 August. The update showed that Mr Price was struggling to grow sales.
So why is Mr Price finding it difficult to continue to grow at its previous pace?
Let's take a closer look at what the trading update revealed…
Mr Price is down 12% in 2015
Shares in Mr ... ››› more
Home
Search
Menu
Our products
