Treasury investigating axing medical aid credits, and Gautrain in serious trouble
The rand remained stable on Monday following the release of a sluggish manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) survey and vehicle sales figures for October.
The rand traded at 17.3075 against the dollar, reflecting a slight increase of 0.1% compared to Friday’s close.
According to the PMI survey, South Africa’s manufacturing sentiment deteriorated in October due to weak domestic demand and lacklustre exports.
Investec economist Lara Hodes anticipates that sentiment will continue to decline, as structural issues remain prevalent in the economy.
Local investors also focused on vehicle sales data, which revealed that new vehicle sales in October 2025 reached 55,956 units, the highest monthly total since March 2015.
This figure represents an increase of 7,734 units, or 16.0%, compared to the 48,222 vehicles sold in October 2024.
The Automotive Business Council stated that fuel costs remained relatively contained, while competitive pricing and softer vehicle inflation continued to support affordability in select segments amid heightened competition in the passenger market.
This softening inflation trajectory supports real disposable income gains. On the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the Top 40 index was down 0.1%.
In fixed income, government bonds hardly moved as the yield for debt maturing in 2035 fell 1 basis point to 8.85%.
On Tuesday, 4 November, the rand was trading at R17.34 to the dollar, R22.76 to the pound and R19.96 to the euro. Oil was trading slightly lower at $64.74 a barrel.
5 important things happening in South Africa today
Treasury investigating axing medical aid credits: Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana had not made any announcements or stated any policy position on limiting medical tax credits. However, he said on Monday that the National Treasury is conducting an internal investigation into the move. [Business Day]
Gautrain in serious trouble: The Gautrain operator’s nearly twenty-year tenure will come to an end in five months. However, the Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) hasn’t found a new bidder, and it’s now over a year behind its previously announced schedule to select the next operator. [News24]
Good news for South Africa: Bank of America says Standard and Poor’s may upgrade South Africa’s credit rating by a notch to BB this month as economic growth picks up on improved implementation of economic reforms under the country’s unity government. [CNBC Africa]
South Africa’s light bulb ban: South African retailers must cease selling light bulbs with a lumens-to-watt ratio of less than 90 by May 24, 2025. The Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition allows retailers until November 2025 to clear non-compliant stocks, which mainly include compact fluorescent and incandescent bulbs. [MyBroadband]
Petrol price joy: From Wednesday, petrol users will see prices cut by 51 cents per litre, while diesel drivers will see a smaller but not insignificant cut of 19/21 cents per litre. [BusinessTech]
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