RMB/BER Business Confidence Index
RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (Sectoral and Provincial), 2019 - Quarter 4 - PDF
Last updated: Nov 28 2019 9:58AM
After dropping from 28 in the second quarter to a 20-year low of 21 in the third quarter, the RMB/BER BCI rose to 26 in the fourth quarter. Confidence rebounded in three of the five sectors making up the BCI namely the building, manufacturing and retail
read moreAfter dropping from 28 in the second quarter to a 20-year low of 21 in the third quarter, the RMB/BER BCI rose to 26 in the fourth quarter. Confidence rebounded in three of the five sectors making up the BCI namely the building, manufacturing and retail trade. It declined in the new motor trade and remained essentially unchanged in the wholesale trade sector. Though the fourth quarter rebound in the RMB/BER BCI is encouraging, some realism is necessary: the improvement was a mere five index points and was not broadly-based across sectors. Moreover, at 26, the BCI remained deep in net negative terrain, with a strong majority of respondents still expressing a sense of pessimism.
RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (Sectoral and Provincial), 2019 - Quarter 4 - Excel
Last updated: Nov 27 2019 11:50AM
After dropping from 28 in the second quarter to a 20-year low of 21 in the third quarter, the RMB/BER BCI rose to 26 in the fourth quarter. Confidence rebounded in three of the five sectors making up the BCI namely the building, manufacturing and retail
read moreAfter dropping from 28 in the second quarter to a 20-year low of 21 in the third quarter, the RMB/BER BCI rose to 26 in the fourth quarter. Confidence rebounded in three of the five sectors making up the BCI namely the building, manufacturing and retail trade. It declined in the new motor trade and remained essentially unchanged in the wholesale trade sector. Though the fourth quarter rebound in the RMB/BER BCI is encouraging, some realism is necessary: the improvement was a mere five index points and was not broadly-based across sectors. Moreover, at 26, the BCI remained deep in net negative terrain, with a strong majority of respondents still expressing a sense of pessimism.
RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (History Data), 2019
Last updated: Nov 27 2019 11:52AM
After dropping from 28 in the second quarter to a 20-year low of 21 in the third quarter, the RMB/BER BCI rose to 26 in the fourth quarter. Confidence rebounded in three of the five sectors making up the BCI namely the building, manufacturing and retail
read moreAfter dropping from 28 in the second quarter to a 20-year low of 21 in the third quarter, the RMB/BER BCI rose to 26 in the fourth quarter. Confidence rebounded in three of the five sectors making up the BCI namely the building, manufacturing and retail trade. It declined in the new motor trade and remained essentially unchanged in the wholesale trade sector. Though the fourth quarter rebound in the RMB/BER BCI is encouraging, some realism is necessary: the improvement was a mere five index points and was not broadly-based across sectors. Moreover, at 26, the BCI remained deep in net negative terrain, with a strong majority of respondents still expressing a sense of pessimism.
RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (Sectoral and Provincial), 2019 - Quarter 3 - Excel
Last updated: Sep 11 2019 11:07AM
The RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) plunged to a 20-year low of 21 in the third quarter. Not even during the height of the global financial crisis in 2009 have executives been this downbeat. Confidence collapsed in four of the five sectors making up
read moreThe RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) plunged to a 20-year low of 21 in the third quarter. Not even during the height of the global financial crisis in 2009 have executives been this downbeat. Confidence collapsed in four of the five sectors making up the BCI. The only sector that showed an improvement was the motor trade, but even so, the index is still low. Not only did a growing majority of respondents in the third quarter experienced worse business conditions than 12 months ago, but it would appear if more and more business people participating in the survey are simply giving up hope. Courageous leadership is required to reverse this concerning development.
RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (Sectoral and Provincial), 2019 - Quarter 3 - PDF
Last updated: Sep 11 2019 11:08AM
The RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) plunged to a 20-year low of 21 in the third quarter. Not even during the height of the global financial crisis in 2009 have executives been this downbeat. Confidence collapsed in four of the five sectors making up
read moreThe RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) plunged to a 20-year low of 21 in the third quarter. Not even during the height of the global financial crisis in 2009 have executives been this downbeat. Confidence collapsed in four of the five sectors making up the BCI. The only sector that showed an improvement was the motor trade, but even so, the index is still low. Not only did a growing majority of respondents in the third quarter experienced worse business conditions than 12 months ago, but it would appear if more and more business people participating in the survey are simply giving up hope. Courageous leadership is required to reverse this concerning development.
RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (Sectoral and Provincial), 2019 - Quarter 2 - Excel
Last updated: Jun 13 2019 11:53AM
The RMB/BER BCI flatlined at a worryingly low 28 in the second quarter. Sentiment improved in the building, retail and wholesale trade. Yet, improvements on balance were marginal and fully offset by a renewed sharp drop in the confidence of new vehicle
read moreThe RMB/BER BCI flatlined at a worryingly low 28 in the second quarter. Sentiment improved in the building, retail and wholesale trade. Yet, improvements on balance were marginal and fully offset by a renewed sharp drop in the confidence of new vehicle dealers while the confidence of manufacturers slid even further. The latest survey results have dampened hopes of a strong bounce-back following the first quarter’s contraction in GDP.
RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (Sectoral and Provincial), 2019 - Quarter 2 - PDF
Last updated: Jun 13 2019 11:53AM
The RMB/BER BCI flatlined at a worryingly low 28 in the second quarter. Sentiment improved in the building, retail and wholesale trade. Yet, improvements on balance were marginal and fully offset by a renewed sharp drop in the confidence of new vehicle
read moreThe RMB/BER BCI flatlined at a worryingly low 28 in the second quarter. Sentiment improved in the building, retail and wholesale trade. Yet, improvements on balance were marginal and fully offset by a renewed sharp drop in the confidence of new vehicle dealers while the confidence of manufacturers slid even further. The latest survey results have dampened hopes of a strong bounce-back following the first quarter’s contraction in GDP.
RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (Sectoral and Provincial), 2019 - Quarter 1 - Excel
Last updated: Mar 13 2019 11:57AM
A broad-based weakening in activity pushed confidence down to worrying lows. The RMB/BER BCI declined by a further three points to 28 in the first quarter of 2019. This is the lowest level since the 27 index points recorded in the second quarter of 2017, and
read moreA broad-based weakening in activity pushed confidence down to worrying lows. The RMB/BER BCI declined by a further three points to 28 in the first quarter of 2019. This is the lowest level since the 27 index points recorded in the second quarter of 2017, and before that, the deep recession of 2009. Striking in the first quarter results is how broad-based the weakness in activity has become. Since taking over the reins, President Ramaphosa has launched several initiatives to help reverse South Africa’s decline. But more than this is necessary to get South Africa out of its low-growth bind. Forceful, and in some instances, unpopular structural reforms must also form part of the mix.
RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (Sectoral and Provincial), 2019 - Quarter 1 - PDF
Last updated: Mar 13 2019 11:58AM
A broad-based weakening in activity pushed confidence down to worrying lows. The RMB/BER BCI declined by a further three points to 28 in the first quarter of 2019. This is the lowest level since the 27 index points recorded in the second quarter of 2017, and
read moreA broad-based weakening in activity pushed confidence down to worrying lows. The RMB/BER BCI declined by a further three points to 28 in the first quarter of 2019. This is the lowest level since the 27 index points recorded in the second quarter of 2017, and before that, the deep recession of 2009. Striking in the first quarter results is how broad-based the weakness in activity has become. Since taking over the reins, President Ramaphosa has launched several initiatives to help reverse South Africa’s decline. But more than this is necessary to get South Africa out of its low-growth bind. Forceful, and in some instances, unpopular structural reforms must also form part of the mix.
RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (Sectoral and Provincial), 2018 - Quarter 4 - Excel
Last updated: Nov 27 2018 10:55AM
After falling from 40 to 34 in the third quarter, the RMB/BER BCI deteriorated marginally further to 31 in the last quarter of 2018. (In addition to the survey results for the fourth quarter, this release also incorporates the outcome of a revision of the
read moreAfter falling from 40 to 34 in the third quarter, the RMB/BER BCI deteriorated marginally further to 31 in the last quarter of 2018. (In addition to the survey results for the fourth quarter, this release also incorporates the outcome of a revision of the surveys. Previously, the BCI had a reading of 39 in the second quarter and 38 in the third quarter of 2018.) Even though improvements have been modest, it’s nonetheless encouraging to see confidence having risen in three out of the five sectors surveyed. In fact, if it wasn’t for the unusually large drop in new vehicle dealer confidence, the RMB/BER BCI would have risen for the first time in almost a year. Yet, concerns continue to linger; in aggregate, seven out of every 10 respondents remain unhappy with prevailing business conditions, while confidence continues to track below the neutral-50 mark in all the sectors.