B2B Central

Economy

15 Mar 2021

Building confidence largely unchanged

By Staff Writer

The FNB/BER Building Confidence Index, after rising to 29 in 4Q2020, shed two points to register a level of 27 in 1Q2021. The current level of the index means that more than 70% of respondents are dissatisfied with prevailing business conditions.
11 Mar 2021

Weak demand for loans from Covid-19 Loan Guarantee Scheme

By Staff Writer

As of 27 February 2021, R18,01 billion in loans had been approved by banks and taken up by small businesses under the Covid-19 Loan Guarantee Scheme, the Banking Association of South Africa (BASA) said today.

10 Mar 2021

GDP: Another recession unlikely for now

By Staff Writer

The GDP print for the fourth quarter of 2020 has come in better than expected, seeing markets respond positively in terms of rand strength and bond yields. Year-on-year GDP fell by 4.1% compared to the expected 4.6% decline, while on a quarter-on-quarter, annualised basis we saw a very strong 6.3% versus an expected 5.6%.

09 Mar 2021

GDP: SA must capitalize on economic 'rebound'

By Staff Writer

"The widely-expected official confirmation from StatsSA that the SA economy experienced a -7% GDP growth rate in 2020 aligns with most other recent authoritative assessments of the economic damage the country suffered last year from the drastic pandemic lockdown," says NWU Business School economist Prof Raymond Parsons.
09 Mar 2021

SA's economy and commodity prices

By Staff Writer

How excited should we be about the year-long rally in commodity prices? Since South Africa’s economy and financial markets are heavily impacted by commodity price moves, the answer is particularly important for local investors.
09 Mar 2021

BlackRock: Leaning further into cyclicality

By Staff Writer

The UK has led the developed world in the pace of its vaccine rollout, with the euro area set to catch up after a slower start. Vaccine rollouts and fiscal spending are paving the way for an accelerated global restart, reflected in a recent rise in real rates.

08 Mar 2021

Infrastructure investment, the economy, investment returns and Regulation 28

By Staff Writer

Isaah Mhlanga, Chief Economist at Alexander Forbes, explains that the 2021 Budget Review is positive overall for three reasons:
03 Mar 2021

THE ZERO: Why interest rates will stay low

By Staff Writer

Low interest rates are not new, says Keith Wade, Chief Economist and Strategist at Schroders. Short term interest rates have been low since the global financial crisis more than a decade ago. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has led them even lower as central banks have gone “all in” to support economic activity. What makes the current environment unique though is the low level of government bond yields.

02 Mar 2021

'2021 could mark SA's economic comeback year'

By Staff Writer

2021 could see a turnaround in South Africa’s market and macro-economic prospects, despite the continuing challenges it faces from low growth and the global pandemic. This was the message at Old Mutual Investment Group’s quarterly investment briefing, where presenters shared their views on an improving local economic landscape, driven by the confidence boost of an unexpectedly positive Budget and South African corporate resilience in the face of significant economic challenges.
02 Mar 2021

Budget 2021 - Poor revenues put high earners at risk

By Staff Writer

On 24 February, Finance Minister Tito Mboweni delivered South Africa’s 2021 National Budget speech. An upbeat Mboweni announced several tax measures, some providing relief for earners and others increasing the burden on consumers.
01 Mar 2021

On balance, things are looking good, says Old Mutual Wealth

By Staff Writer

February may be the shortest month of the year, but it’s not short on events. The clouds are starting to part, with almost 200 million people worldwide now vaccinated against the coronavirus, including 67 000 South Africans.

26 Feb 2021

Moody's: SA's slightly lower deficits won't prevent debt rising

By Staff Writer

Moody's today issued a report on South Africa, following Finance Minister Tito Mboweni's Budget Speech, and the publication of the Budget Review earlier this week