New private Afrikaans university coming to the Western Cape, and 97-year-old retailer making a comeback in South Africa
After a quieter week on the data front, next week will also be lacking any big releases to unsettle local markets.
For South Africa, data on August mining production is scheduled for Tuesday, the only notable release. That means market attention will turn to international numbers for guidance.
Nedbank economists expect mining production to remain in contraction, mainly reflecting elevated domestic input costs, softer commodity prices, and subdued global demand.
However, the year-on-year rate of decline will likely moderate from 7.5% in July to 3% in August.
The main focus next week will be on the United States, the group said, where inflation is expected to accelerate further.
“Markets anticipate US headline inflation rising from 3.4% yoy in August to 3.6% in September, while core inflation is forecast to edge up slightly from 2.4% to 2.5%,” the bank said.
This would suggest that underlying price pressures remain persistent.
Other major economies will also be publishing inflation data, with rises expected across the board as the world grapples with rising fuel prices as a result of the United States’ actions.
In the EU, final inflation figures are expected to confirm the preliminary estimate of 3.8% yoy in September.
“Similarly, Germany’s final HICP inflation is likely to be confirmed at 3.3%, while France’s inflation is likely to remain unchanged at 3.4% yoy,” Nedbank said.
China’s trade and inflation data are also due. Markets expect CPI to increase from 0.8% yoy to 1.1% in September.
The global inflation data comes a week ahead of South Africa’s numbers, which will be published the week after, on 21 October.
The data is a strong indicator and influence on interest rate paths, with economists warning that further interest rate hikes may be on the way.
South Africa will face the new week with the rand on the back foot, trading weaker against the dollar at R16.53. It is at R21.86 to the pound and R18.52 to the euro.
Gold is trading at $4,194.15, while oil prices remain above $100 a barrel at $104.43.
5 important things happening in South Africa today
New Afrikaans university coming to the Western Cape: Property development and investment company Kanton has published photos of the site of Akademia’s new full-time campus for the private Afrikaans university in the Western Cape. [MyBroadband]
Edgars comeback: Edgars, founded in 1929, has recently undergone a revival after entering into voluntary business rescue, with plans to expand its footprint across South Africa. After years of struggle and business rescue, the group is growing again with a new model that is receiving positive feedback. [BusinessTech]
Ironic Eskom debt: Emalahleni in Mpumalanga, the heartland of Eskom’s coal-fired power stations, owes the power utility more than any other municipality. The municipality is home to the largest concentration of Eskom power plants in South Africa. [Newsday]
‘Hi mom’ WhatsApp fraud warning: Criminals are increasingly using WhatsApp as their weapon of choice to trick South Africans into sending them money, and new technology such as AI voices is making social engineering more effective. A recent tactic flagged is a scam where parents are targeted using mimicked voices of their children, [Daily Investor]
Anti-immigrant protesters arrested: 19 people have been arrested in relation to the violent anti-migrant protests that took place this week. Houses were burned, and vehicles were torched as anti-migrant marches turned violent in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. [EWN]
Loading ...