BER press release
RMB/BER Business Confidence Index 2022Q4, press release
Date Uploaded: Nov 23 2022 12:00PM
After dipping from 42 to 39 in the third quarter, the RMB/BER business confidence index (BCI) slipped to 38 in the final quarter of 2022. A rebound in building confidence made up for the first significant falls in wholesale and retail confidence since the
read moreAfter dipping from 42 to 39 in the third quarter, the RMB/BER business confidence index (BCI) slipped to 38 in the final quarter of 2022. A rebound in building confidence made up for the first significant falls in wholesale and retail confidence since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. Escalating load-shedding could easily have dashed business confidence in the fourth quarter. The fact that the RMB/BER BCI essentially remained unchanged indicates the presence of some underlying resilience as well as countervailing forces at work.
FNB/BER Civil Confidence Index 2022Q3, press release
Date Uploaded: Sep 29 2022 10:45AM
After moving marginally higher to 10 in 2022Q2, the FNB/BER Civil Confidence Index increased further to 24 in 2022Q3, a level last reached in 2020Q1. Despite the improvement in sentiment, the current index level means that more than seventy-five per cent of
read moreAfter moving marginally higher to 10 in 2022Q2, the FNB/BER Civil Confidence Index increased further to 24 in 2022Q3, a level last reached in 2020Q1. Despite the improvement in sentiment, the current index level means that more than seventy-five per cent of respondents were dissatisfied with prevailing business conditions.
BER Building Cost Index (BCI) 2022Q3, press release
Date Uploaded: Sep 28 2022 9:00AM
During the third quarter of 2022, annual growth in tender prices, as measured by the BER Building Cost Index (BCI), kept up with input costs.
Other services survey results 2022Q3, press release
Date Uploaded: Sep 27 2022 10:00AM
Confidence in the other services sector essentially remained static (at 53 compared to 52 previously) in the third quarter. In terms of the four sub-sectors making up the total, activity in the hospitality sector continued to pose the highest (year-on-year)
read moreConfidence in the other services sector essentially remained static (at 53 compared to 52 previously) in the third quarter. In terms of the four sub-sectors making up the total, activity in the hospitality sector continued to pose the highest (year-on-year) growth. Growth in activity in the important business services sub-sector (which contributes 45% to the total) and real estate came off the boil. Transport activity, in contrast, re-bounded. GDP growth in the third quarter is likely to benefit from the continuing recovery of the other services sector.
Inflation Expectations, 2022Q3, press release
Date Uploaded: Sep 22 2022 3:00PM
During the third quarter, respondents, on average, expected inflation to accelerate to 6.5% this year and then moderate to 5.9% next year and further to 5.3% in 2024. In terms of the different social groups, analysts revised their expectations for 2023
read moreDuring the third quarter, respondents, on average, expected inflation to accelerate to 6.5% this year and then moderate to 5.9% next year and further to 5.3% in 2024. In terms of the different social groups, analysts revised their expectations for 2023 upwards by 0.5% pts, while business people and trade unionists made more modest upward adjustments of 0.2% pts and 0.1% pt respectively.
Retail survey results 2022Q3, press release
Date Uploaded: Sep 20 2022 9:00AM
Retail confidence has proven surprisingly resilient despite the effect of high inflation and rising interest rates on the disposable income of consumers. The 2022Q3 BER Retail Survey shows that although general business conditions are down relative to Q3 last
read moreRetail confidence has proven surprisingly resilient despite the effect of high inflation and rising interest rates on the disposable income of consumers. The 2022Q3 BER Retail Survey shows that although general business conditions are down relative to Q3 last year, confidence levels have remained elevated and above the long-term average.
FNB/BER Building Confidence Index, 2022Q3, press release
Date Uploaded: Sep 13 2022 9:00AM
Building confidence, as measured by the FNB/BER Building Confidence Index, remained unchanged at 34 in 2022Q3. During the quarter, main contractors saw sentiment decline by 17 points, followed by building material manufacturers (-12) and quantity surveyors
read moreBuilding confidence, as measured by the FNB/BER Building Confidence Index, remained unchanged at 34 in 2022Q3. During the quarter, main contractors saw sentiment decline by 17 points, followed by building material manufacturers (-12) and quantity surveyors (-4). The downbeat sentiment of main contractors was due to a drop in confidence among residential builders. Meanwhile, the mood among non-residential builders improved significantly in 2022Q3 on the back of markedly better activity and somewhat better profitability.
FNB/BER Consumer Confidence Index, 2022Q3, press release
Date Uploaded: Sep 8 2022 10:00AM
After plunging from -13 to -25 during the second quarter of 2022, the FNB/BER Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) clawed back 5 index points to reach -20 in the third quarter. Consumer sentiment remains extremely depressed and signals a substantial deceleration
read moreAfter plunging from -13 to -25 during the second quarter of 2022, the FNB/BER Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) clawed back 5 index points to reach -20 in the third quarter. Consumer sentiment remains extremely depressed and signals a substantial deceleration in real consumer spending growth relative to the robust rates recorded at the start of the year.
RMB/BER Business Confidence Index 2022Q3, press release
Date Uploaded: Sep 7 2022 12:00PM
The RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) eased slightly further from 42 to 39 in the third quarter. Confidence among retailers and wholesalers remained comparatively high, while a notable improvement in sentiment among new vehicle dealers partly offset a
read moreThe RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) eased slightly further from 42 to 39 in the third quarter. Confidence among retailers and wholesalers remained comparatively high, while a notable improvement in sentiment among new vehicle dealers partly offset a 17-point deterioration in building confidence. The manufacturing BCI remained at a low level. While the third quarter drop in the RMB/BER BCI is disappointing, the other survey results indicate that another outright (quarter-on-quarter) contraction in real GDP is unlikely.
Inflation Expectations, 2022Q2, press release
Date Uploaded: Jul 21 2022 3:00PM
The average inflation expectations of analysts, business people and trade unions increased by 0.9 percentage points (% pts) for 2022, by 0.6% pts for 2023 and by 0.4% pts for 2024 since the previous survey. Respondents expect inflation to accelerate to 6.0%
read moreThe average inflation expectations of analysts, business people and trade unions increased by 0.9 percentage points (% pts) for 2022, by 0.6% pts for 2023 and by 0.4% pts for 2024 since the previous survey. Respondents expect inflation to accelerate to 6.0% this year but then to moderate to 5.6% and 5.4% during the subsequent two years.