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The South African Reserve Bank is likely to hold interest rates unchanged

Reserve Bank expected to cut rates by 25 basis points this week

A third consecutive interest rate cut will help stimulate the economy, but the central bank will also be cautious about inflation pressures

Bricsbat: US president-elect Donald Trump has warned that he would impose heavy tariffs on Brics nations if they created a currency to counter the dollar. Photo: Allison Robbert-Pool/Getty Images

Trump could bring a plot twist to SA’s G20 presidency

The US president-elect’s threat to Brics and regressive climate change stance risk stoking tension

The US economy appears to be precariously perched on the brink of recession. (Graphic: Getty)

Precarious times for the US economy

Inflation shows signs of easing and job growth is slowing, sparking fears of recession and speculation over how the Fed will navigate the dynamics at play

South African Reserve Bank governor Lesetja Kganyago. Photo: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Explainer: How the Reserve Bank decides on interest rates

Movements in headline inflation are a key indicator, but decisions are also influenced by central banks around the world, especially the US Federal Reserve

Higher lending rates and weaker economic outlooks will inevitably temper once spirited housing markets, with signs of cooling already in evidence.. (Oupa Nkos)

SA housing market to fall off a hill, not a cliff

The market is set to slow as consumers feel higher bond costs but the slump will not be as dramatic as in economies where buoyancy is the rule not the exception

Financial news is seen on a television as traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange during afternoon trading on September 13, 2022 in New York City. U.S. stocks opened lower today and closed significantly low with the Dow Jones dropping over 1,200 points after the release of an inflation report that showed prices rising more than expected in the last month. The Consumer Price Index released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed prices rising 8.3% over the last year, for which economists had predicted an 8.1% increase. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Wall Street stages recovery from rout

US shares were battered earlier in the week by consumer price index data showing widespread inflation pressures

To survive one needs a diversified portfolio with a balance between domestic and international investments and financial planning that takes a long-term view.

Choppy waters in global markets highlight the importance of prudent financial management

To survive one needs a diversified portfolio with a balance between domestic and international investments and financial planning that takes a long-term view.

Reserve Bank governor Lesetja Kganyago has underlined on a number of occasions that high inflation is harmful to consumers, particularly the poor. Photo: Gem Atkinson/Bloomberg via Getty Images

EXPLAINER: Why are central banks worried about inflation?

High prices have been more stubborn than previously expected, forcing monetary policymakers to react

Since it became clear that the country had moved past the worst of the cost-of-living crisis, the question has been, “When will things get better?”   (Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

SA inflation eases slightly in January

The slowdown was helped by lower fuel prices. But this relief was temporary, as February saw another petrol hike

Photo: Laird Forbes/Gallo Images

Unemployment and interest rate hikes predicted to hit property market

The volume of new mortgage applications reached multi-year highs amid record low interest rates

US President Joe Biden listens as Vice president Kamala Harris (L) speaks during an event at the White House with members of the National Governors Association on January 31, 2022 in Washington, DC. The National Governors Association concludes its three day winter meeting today.  (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

US politicians paper over the social problems caused by capitalism

Mainstream American politicians — establishment figures in both major parties — apply the denial and displacement mantra to many problems, especially inflation

Limitations: A cargo ship loaded with containers leaves a port in Haikou in China’s southern Hainan province. The Covid-19 pandemic has had far-reaching financial and economic consequences, including disruptions to global value chains. (AFP/China OUT)

China and Omicron are the wild cards for the global economy and financial markets

Lockdown restrictions will continue to disrupt global value chains and support rising inflation that will require aggressive rate hikes

Covid-19 cast the economy adrift, but a less punishing new phase of the pandemic could set it back on track. (Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

2022: A return to normality or more economic uncertainty?

Covid-19 cast the economy adrift, but a less punishing new phase of the pandemic could set it back on track

The Reserve Bank has maintained the repo — at which it lends to commercial banks — steady at 8.25% for five consecutive meetings, since hiking it by 50 basis points in May 2023.

South African inflation unchanged as some economists expect repo rate lift-off

Global inflation has surprised on the upside, which may factor into whether the Reserve Bank’s monetary policy committee decides to raise the interest rate on Thursday

The US Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee has broken its 14-month policy pause with a significant 50 basis point cut to the federal funds rate. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

If the inflation-driving supply strain in the US lasts, it could put South Africa in a chokehold

In South Africa, a strong trade surplus, buoyed by robust commodity prices, will cushion our economy against pressure arising from US policy

(John McCann/M&G)

Muscular dollar awes the rest

South Africa is less likely to suffer but investors will look for the elusive factor — growth

Below-zero rates spook the market

With global conditions deteriorating markedly, Janet Yellen has admitted that the Federal Reserve will have to be cautious.

People soon detect if you are not being genuine, says Mpho Maboi. (Graphic: John McCann)

Gold price predicted to drop – after record high

History suggests the metal’s rise is a blip but doubt over US interest rates makes a call difficult.

The economy probably grew 1.4% last year after strikes in the platinum-mining and manufacturing industries curbed output

Bond buyers deterred by Fed rate outlook

Foreign investors offloaded more rand-denominated debt than what they bought last year, as demand for emerging market bonds declined.

To survive one needs a diversified portfolio with a balance between domestic and international investments and financial planning that takes a long-term view.

Imminent rise in US interest rate spells trouble for emerging markets

Emerging markets are bracing themselves for fallout once the interest rate rises in the US, according to the IMF’s deputy director.