BER Weekly
BER Weekly, 8 August 2022
Last updated: Aug 8 2022 7:59AM
Last week we received the first batch of SA activity data for July. As expected, intense load-shedding took its toll on the manufacturing sector. However, some of the other data was more positive. The international section provides an overview of the US
read moreLast week we received the first batch of SA activity data for July. As expected, intense load-shedding took its toll on the manufacturing sector. However, some of the other data was more positive. The international section provides an overview of the US nonfarm payrolls for July which saw employment surge back above pre-pandemic levels and the unemployment rate tick down to 3.5%.
BER Weekly, 1 August 2022
Last updated: Aug 1 2022 6:44AM
Last week was action-packed with a major energy reform announcement in SA and diverging takeaways after the latest US Fed policy interest rate decision. This week’s highlights include the first batch of local activity data for July, interest rate meetings in
read moreLast week was action-packed with a major energy reform announcement in SA and diverging takeaways after the latest US Fed policy interest rate decision. This week’s highlights include the first batch of local activity data for July, interest rate meetings in Australia and the UK, as well as the all-important US job numbers (for July) on Friday.
BER Weekly, 25 July 2021
Last updated: Jul 25 2022 7:49AM
Larger than expected policy interest rate moves by the ECB and the SARB, as well as data releases showing a further softening in US growth momentum, drove financial markets last week. Looking to this week, the interest rate announcement by the US Fed on
read moreLarger than expected policy interest rate moves by the ECB and the SARB, as well as data releases showing a further softening in US growth momentum, drove financial markets last week. Looking to this week, the interest rate announcement by the US Fed on Wednesday is in focus. Locally, a spate of data will be released towards the end of the week, including the PPI for June.
BER Weekly, 18 July 2022
Last updated: Jul 18 2022 8:25AM
Not for the first time this year, global financial markets were unsettled last week by developed country inflation numbers that exceeded expectations. In the upcoming week, the focus is squarely on the response from central banks to high inflation and the
read moreNot for the first time this year, global financial markets were unsettled last week by developed country inflation numbers that exceeded expectations. In the upcoming week, the focus is squarely on the response from central banks to high inflation and the concern about slowing GDP growth. The European Central Bank (ECB) and the SARB will both deliver their latest monetary policy decisions on Thursday.
BER Weekly, 11 July 2022
Last updated: Jul 11 2022 7:30AM
It would have been a busy week last week even without unexpected and unsettling global political developments. The most important international economic data release was the US jobs report on Friday. In Europe, gas prices rose anew amid increasing concern
read moreIt would have been a busy week last week even without unexpected and unsettling global political developments. The most important international economic data release was the US jobs report on Friday. In Europe, gas prices rose anew amid increasing concern about supplies from Russia, which were compounded by a strike in the Norwegian gas sector. Locally, a key development was the resolution of the wildcat strike at Eskom.
BER Weekly, 4 July 2022
Last updated: Jul 4 2022 7:37AM
All local news was overshadowed by SA experiencing its worst load-shedding on record last week. The consecutive days of stage 6 load-shedding (with stage 4 required on the weekend and at night, and a return to stage 6 later today) was way beyond the magnitude
read moreAll local news was overshadowed by SA experiencing its worst load-shedding on record last week. The consecutive days of stage 6 load-shedding (with stage 4 required on the weekend and at night, and a return to stage 6 later today) was way beyond the magnitude of rolling blackouts implemented in the past. I
BER Weekly, 27 June 2022
Last updated: Jun 27 2022 7:27AM
There was again plenty to digest on the domestic and global economic front last week. In general, the news was downbeat as SA headline consumer inflation (CPI) increased by notably more than expected in May. In other negative news, Eskom implemented stage 2
read moreThere was again plenty to digest on the domestic and global economic front last week. In general, the news was downbeat as SA headline consumer inflation (CPI) increased by notably more than expected in May. In other negative news, Eskom implemented stage 2 load-shedding from Wednesday. This was ramped up to stage 4 on Friday, as well as during the weekend and is expected to last at least until Wednesday.
BER Weekly, 20 June 2022
Last updated: Jun 20 2022 7:08AM
The key global economic event over the past week was the bigger-than-initially-signalled interest rate hike by the US Federal Reserve mid-week. In the lead-up to the Fed meeting, global equity and bond markets were in turmoil as traders started pricing in the
read moreThe key global economic event over the past week was the bigger-than-initially-signalled interest rate hike by the US Federal Reserve mid-week. In the lead-up to the Fed meeting, global equity and bond markets were in turmoil as traders started pricing in the possibility of a 75bps instead of a 50bps hike. SA financial markets were not spared from these sharp swings, with the rand exchange rate depreciating past R16/$ mid-week. In other news, the latest SA economic data releases were a mixed bag.
BER Weekly, 13 June 2022
Last updated: Jun 13 2022 7:42AM
It was another mixed week on the domestic economic front, starting with the release of much better-than-expected real GDP growth numbers for 2022Q1. However, the first batch of Stats SA’s high-frequency figures for the second quarter, as well as the decline
read moreIt was another mixed week on the domestic economic front, starting with the release of much better-than-expected real GDP growth numbers for 2022Q1. However, the first batch of Stats SA’s high-frequency figures for the second quarter, as well as the decline in business confidence during Q2, emphasised that the various shocks that hit the economy derailed the solid momentum seen in the early part of the year.
BER Weekly, 6 June 2022
Last updated: Jun 6 2022 7:34AM
Last week Tuesday saw the keenly awaited announcement by the Minister of Finance and Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy that the general fuel levy reduction of R1.50/litre would be continued for another month. While the extension of the fuel levy relief
read moreLast week Tuesday saw the keenly awaited announcement by the Minister of Finance and Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy that the general fuel levy reduction of R1.50/litre would be continued for another month. While the extension of the fuel levy relief curtails near-term domestic inflationary pressure somewhat, consumer price (CPI) inflation is still set to come out higher this year than we previously estimated. The domestic section unpacks the May PMI data for SA as well as the 2022Q1 Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS). The international section looks as the US jobs data as well as Eurozone inflation figures.