BER press release
FNB/BER Building Confidence Index, 2021Q4, press release
Last updated: Nov 29 2021 3:04PM
After slipping to 35 in 2021Q3, the FNB/BER Building Confidence Index was marginally lower at 34 in 2021Q4. Importantly, the “core” building sector index (excluding the hardware retailers and building material manufacturing sector) rose to 27, from 20 in
read moreAfter slipping to 35 in 2021Q3, the FNB/BER Building Confidence Index was marginally lower at 34 in 2021Q4. Importantly, the “core” building sector index (excluding the hardware retailers and building material manufacturing sector) rose to 27, from 20 in 2021Q3. Although still very low, this is the best level since 2019Q2.
RMB/BER Business Confidence Index 2021Q4, press release
Last updated: Nov 24 2021 8:24AM
After falling from 50 to 43 in the third quarter, the RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) remained unchanged in the fourth quarter of 2021. The outcome could easily have been better were it not for a variety of special factors that kept sentiment subdued.
read moreAfter falling from 50 to 43 in the third quarter, the RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) remained unchanged in the fourth quarter of 2021. The outcome could easily have been better were it not for a variety of special factors that kept sentiment subdued.
SA’s municipal challenges and their impact on local economic development, press release
Last updated: Oct 15 2021 8:20AM
The upcoming local elections put municipal performance under the spotlight. This BER Research Note explores some of the underlying problems that contribute to local government failure and the poor state of service delivery in many municipalities. Without the
read moreThe upcoming local elections put municipal performance under the spotlight. This BER Research Note explores some of the underlying problems that contribute to local government failure and the poor state of service delivery in many municipalities. Without the infrastructure and basic services that municipalities should provide, local economic development is likely to remain constrained. This makes it more difficult to broaden economic participation and reverse South Africa’s unemployment trend.
Other services survey results 2021Q3, press release
Last updated: Sep 29 2021 8:18AM
Although the further improvement of confidence in the other services sector during the third quarter is a welcome development, this was limited to the business services sub-sector. The harsher lockdown and unrest hit confidence in all the other sub-sectors
read moreAlthough the further improvement of confidence in the other services sector during the third quarter is a welcome development, this was limited to the business services sub-sector. The harsher lockdown and unrest hit confidence in all the other sub-sectors (accommodation, hospitality, transport and real estate).
The COVID-19 pandemic and South Africa’s tourism sector
Last updated: Sep 26 2021 6:04PM
The South African tourism sector is without a doubt one of the industries that has been hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest available data suggests that the shock to the industry resulted in severe revenue losses. Due to its linkages to the rest
read moreThe South African tourism sector is without a doubt one of the industries that has been hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest available data suggests that the shock to the industry resulted in severe revenue losses. Due to its linkages to the rest of the economy, the sector’s contribution to GDP shrank from 7.2% in 2018 to 2.9% in 2020, and the number of jobs supported by the industry declined from 1.6 million to 640 000.
Inflation Expectations Press 2021Q3
Last updated: Sep 23 2021 12:37PM
In the third quarter of 2021, average inflation expectations for all three forecast periods remained unchanged
compared to the previous survey. The average remained stable because minor upward adjustments in the
expectations of business people were
read moreIn the third quarter of 2021, average inflation expectations for all three forecast periods remained unchanged
compared to the previous survey. The average remained stable because minor upward adjustments in the
expectations of business people were countered by small downward revisions for those of analysts and trade
union representatives. The changes relative to the previous quarter are small. This could be that they merely
reflect the variations that arise when samples are used to generate results.
FNB/BER Civil Confidence Index 2021Q3, press release
Last updated: Sep 20 2021 5:47PM
After falling to 13 in 2021Q2, the FNB/BER Civil Confidence Index edged higher to 17. The index has been around the 20-point mark since the middle of 2017. The current index level means that the vast majority (more than eighty per cent) of respondents are
read moreAfter falling to 13 in 2021Q2, the FNB/BER Civil Confidence Index edged higher to 17. The index has been around the 20-point mark since the middle of 2017. The current index level means that the vast majority (more than eighty per cent) of respondents are dissatisfied with prevailing business conditions.
Retail survey results 2021Q3, press release
Last updated: Sep 20 2021 8:48AM
Retailer confidence increased marginally by 2 index points to reach a 7-year high of 56 in the third quarter of 2021 – up from 54 in the second quarter. At this level, sentiment is essentially above its long-term average of 39. While this is certainly a
read moreRetailer confidence increased marginally by 2 index points to reach a 7-year high of 56 in the third quarter of 2021 – up from 54 in the second quarter. At this level, sentiment is essentially above its long-term average of 39. While this is certainly a positive development, especially in the aftermath of violent protests and stricter trade restrictions amid a third wave of infections, this confidence was unfortunately not broad-based. Confidence was largely driven by non-durable goods (food and beverages) and hardware retailers on the back of improved sales volumes in these categories. Despite this improvement in sentiment, retailers faced a tough operating environment overall.
Absa Manufacturing Survey 2021Q3, press release
Last updated: Sep 15 2021 9:39AM
The Q3 Absa Manufacturing Survey saw a slight dip in overall sector confidence, with business confidence falling five points to 41 during the quarter.
FNB/BER Building Confidence Index, 2021Q3, press release
Last updated: Sep 14 2021 7:58AM
The FNB/BER Building Confidence Index declined to 35 in 2021Q3, from 39 in 2021Q2. This means that, across the building sector pipeline, 65% of respondents are dissatisfied with prevailing business conditions. While the composite index remains higher than the
read moreThe FNB/BER Building Confidence Index declined to 35 in 2021Q3, from 39 in 2021Q2. This means that, across the building sector pipeline, 65% of respondents are dissatisfied with prevailing business conditions. While the composite index remains higher than the average of the past few years, it is concerning that the index excluding the hardware retail and building material manufacturing sector – a measure of confidence in the “core” building sector – fell to 20, from 25 in 2021Q2.