5 things you need to know before trading opens today
·5 Feb 2016
Here is what’s happening in and affecting South Africa’s markets:
- Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan’s desires to sell off a stake of Eskom is putting him at odds with the power utility’s CEO, Brian Molefe. Gordhan reportedly suggested private shareholders should be able to buy as much 49% of Eskom Holdings – however Molefe strongly disagreed with the suggestion. Eskom is in financial straits and looking at options to make up the billions of rands it has in lost revenue and debt.
- Ratings firm, Moody’s continued to lay the pressure on South Africa as it reported that the country’s weak growth outlook will hobble its ability to raise tax revenues and take measures to tackle the effects of severe drought. With the country on the cusp of being cut to junk status, that outcome looks more likely than ever.
- The South African rand was flat on Friday after strengthening to around R15.85 to the dollar on Thursday, and jumping up to R15.91 in overnight trade. On Friday morning, the currency was at R15.90 to the US dollar, R23.14 to the pound and R17.80 to the Euro.
- In global markets, Asian equities were subdued on Friday and the dollar wobbled ahead of the closely watched U.S. jobs report, which could provide clues on the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy outlook. Japan’s Nikkei share average fell for a fourth day, while weak US economic data pushed Wall Street down on Thursday.
- Crude oil futures held steady in lacklustre trading on Friday as Asian liquidity faded ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday across large parts of the region. At current rates, the South African Central Energy Fund is reporting an over-recovery for fuel of 32 cents for 93 LRP, and 11 cents for 0.05% diesel.
In other news: The EFF has put forward a counter-proposal to President Jacob Zuma’s offer to pay back some of the money owed on his Nkandla home. EFF leader Julius Malema wants the president to admit that he has breached the constitution and his oath of office.
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