Posts tagged with 'consumers'

 

Eskom cannot deliver sufficient and sustainable power, ANC regime now approves alternative options

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The ANC regime has finally realized that Eskom is unable to provide sufficient, and sustainable, electricity to consumers.

The news that the government has agreed that municipalities may start their own power supply is a complete turnaround in policy and is also contrary to the AMC-SACP alliance’s communist approach to control everything for everyone.

There are suspicions that several larger municipalities will do their homework, but informed sources believe the new step could lead to greater corruption and poor service delivery since no municipality has the skills to set up and operate its own power plant.

 

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Livestock actions banned in Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo following outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease – consumers can prepare themselves for some hefty price increases for meat products

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TAU SA is shocked after the announcement that livestock auctions in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng and North West have been suspended until further notification by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development. This announcement follows after the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the Molemole district of Limpopo.

“This is a big blow to the livestock and game farmers in the country, who are already being forced to their knees by the drought,” says Mr. Henk van de Graaf, the regional chairman of TAU SA Norht. “The sale of herds was the only remaining solution for farmers who no longer have food for their animals and now this way of escape is also removed.”

TAU SA realizes that serious action must now be taken to prevent the highly contagious disease but they do not believe that suspending auctions will solve the problem. Rather, the government must ensure that the measures originally put in place must be strictly adhered to an
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Thanks to the ruling ANC regime, SA’s economy outlook is getting worse with Eskom already plunging the country deeper into debt

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In an exclusive interview conducted by Die Vryburger with a well-known political analyst, it seems that 2019 is not a year of good prospects.

The anonymous expert says the projections are getting darker with Eskom, who is already plunging the country into debt with loadshedding.

In addition to the enormous R2 billion it cost daily to endure load shedding, it has a very negative impact on potential investors abroad.

The recession in which SA is currently, along with the tremendous debt burden of the state, forces the Finance Minister to take unfavorable measures to balance the scale, but cannot tamper with it because the election is at the door.

He says there is no reason to think that it will improve in the economic sphere in the second half of 2019, because the Rand is doubtful, gold mines are shaky because of the power supply’s load shedding, and this increases the possibility of higher unemployment. means that less personal tax i
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The markets troughs another tantrum

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The rand lost 2% against the USD yesterday, as markets had another ‘taper tantrum’.

March US retail sales were revised upwards to 0.8% (Month on month), raising fears that the US Fed may indeed raise rates a further 0.5% in 2018. Yawn, I’m sure we’re not the only ones bored of this story again?

Back home, SA’s unemployment rate remained stable at 26.7% (another shocker). Oil is nearing $80/barrel, a rather negative sign for the rand and motorists alike. Today’s attention shifts to SA retail sales and US manufacturing data, enjoy!

Today’s Rate

USD/ZAR 12.5420
GBP/ZAR 16.9276
EUR/ZAR 14.8462
ZAR/JPY 8.9777
CNY/ZAR 1.9685
AUD/ZAR 9.3848
CHF/ZAR 12.3877
AED/ZAR 3.151
SGD/ZAR 9.0722
NOK/ZAR 1.5476
EUR/USD 1.1839
GBP/USD 1.3501
GBP/EUR 1.1405

All rates quoted are the inte
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Are things ‘back on the bus’

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It’s all aboard the Trumplomacy bus, as President Trump offered China an olive branch yesterday, renewing hope that a ‘trade ‘war’ could be avoided.

The news momentarily helped emerging market gains, before violence in the Middle East put the rand on the back foot. Back home, Minister Gordhan continued his purge of corrupt state owned entity officials, firing the remaining Transnet board members. Yesterday also spelled the end of the nationwide bus strike, hopefully some relief for our roads!

Today’s Rate

USD/ZAR 12.4207
GBP/ZAR 16.797
EUR/ZAR 14.808
ZAR/JPY 8.862
CNY/ZAR 1.9514
AUD/ZAR 9.1668
CHF/ZAR 12.3654
AED/ZAR 3.3716
SGD/ZAR 9.2571
NOK/ZAR 1.551
EUR/USD 1.1924
GBP/USD 1.3525
GBP/EUR 1.1342

All rates quoted are the interbank rates at time of publishing and shown for indic
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Is this the beginning of the end!

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Trump announces US withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear deal with plans to impose strict sanctions.

Uncertainty of global oil supplies grows as countries who continue business with Iran may be penalized and feel the burn. With oil prices on the rise, markets expect future inflation increases and see further support for future US Fed hikes. Are we set to see a third consecutive month of petrol price increases?

We’ll have to wait and see. Alongside other EM markets the rand opened weaker at 12.57/USD as markets try to make sense of Trumps decision. US inflation data out at 14h30 will be the only real highlight for the day. Cheers and have a wonderful Wednesday!

Today’s Rate

USD/ZAR 12.6049
GBP/ZAR 17.0860
EUR/ZAR 14.9588
ZAR/JPY 8.6876
CNY/ZAR 1.9823
AUD/ZAR 9.3902
CHF/ZAR 12.5903
AED/ZAR 3.4377
SGD/ZAR 9.4088
NOK/ZAR 1.5562
EUR
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You miss one and then hit one

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Fridays nonfarm payrolls figures missed the mark (163k vs. 193k expected), while unemployment data reached a 17-year low of 3.9

The job numbers confirm strength in the dollar, with the rand opening at 12.53/$ this morning. This week could see EM markets under more pressure as global developments, US CPI and trade talks continue to drive the dollar.

On local shores, SA mining and manufacturing production are likely to record negative growth in the 1st quarter of 2018. Today is a UK banking holiday so we don’t expect lots of volatility. Have a great start to your week!

Today’s Rate

USD/ZAR 12.5221
GBP/ZAR 16.9548
EUR/ZAR 14.9384
ZAR/JPY 8.7232
CNY/ZAR 1.9671
AUD/ZAR 9.4121
CHF/ZAR 12.4863
AED/ZAR 3.4096
SGD/ZAR 9.3747
NOK/ZAR 1.5511
EUR/USD 1.1932
GBP/USD 1.3541
GBP/EUR 1.1384

All rates quo
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The Rand Losts Its Ground

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The rand lost ground yesterday as SA lost out to exemption from the US steel and aluminum import tariffs (25% and 10% respectively).

An increase in the oil price and a stronger dollar added to the rands demise. The tone of tonight’s Fed interest rate decision (20h00) is one to keep an eye on. Even though a hike is not expected, any hints to future interest rate hikes and/or US inflation forecasts could see the market react.

EU GDP and unemployment figures released today (11h00) is also one to keep a look out for. Have a great day!

Today’s Rate

USD/ZAR 12.5989
GBP/ZAR 17.1505
EUR/ZAR 15.1303
ZAR/JPY 8.7198
CNY/ZAR 1.9818
AUD/ZAR 9.4657
CHF/ZAR 12.6592
AED/ZAR 3.4310
SGD/ZAR 9.4372
NOK/ZAR 1.5493
EUR/USD 1.2012
GBP/USD 1.3959
GBP/EUR 1.1437

All rates quoted are the interbank ra
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The rand strengthened overnight

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The rand strengthened overnight as the dollar weakened amidst peace talks between the North and South Korean leaders.

Risk-on sentiment prevailed as a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula looks likely in the near future (no doubt president Trump will take credit for this). The market now shifts attention to the US Feds hiking plans and the China VS US “trade war”. The Feds interest rate decision is released Wednesday with no hike expected in May, but hints to a June hike will be what the market will be looking out for.

Other data to keep an eye on this week; SA Trade balance today (14h00), EU GDP and unemployment (Wednesday), US Trade balance and EU inflation (Thursday), and US jobs numbers (Friday). Have a great day and please note our office will be closed tomorrow as we celebrate the well-deserved, Workers Day Public holiday!

Today’s Rate

USD/ZAR 12.4179
GBP/ZAR 17.0517
EUR/ZAR 15.0287
ZA
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Sad news, Rand slide continues

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The rand slumped to a 3 month low yesterday as emerging market currencies feel the heat from a high-flying dollar.

The majors inched up against the local unit to open the day at 12.394/$, 17.313/£ and 15.149/€. A strong dollar has brought some much needed relief to the US economy, renewing investor appetite for bonds, however Wall Street woes persist as US equities are in the red.

Back home, a storm is brewing as the Labour legislation grabs the spotlight with calls for an overhaul in public wage structure gaining momentum. The data calendar is light today with SA consumer confidence figures out this morning.

Today’s Rate

USD/ZAR 12.394
GBP/ZAR 17.313
EUR/ZAR 15.149
ZAR/JPY 8.806
CNY/ZAR 1.96463
AUD/ZAR 9.4012
CHF/ZAR 12.6407
AED/ZAR 3.38
SGD/ZAR 9.3435
NOK/ZAR 1.5669
EUR/USD 1.2197
GBP
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