Massive proposed electricity price increases will leave many South Africans having to choose between buying food or having power
Statistics South Africa data released on Wednesday showed that the CPI annual rate was 5.1% in June compared with 5.2% in May
Consumer inflation remains sticky above the 4.5% midpoint of the central bank’s target range
Still-sticky inflation could further delay long-awaited interest rate cuts
Delivering the unanimous decision, central bank governor Lesetja Kganyago cited a still uncertain global outlook
Supplies of various crops globally are abundant, but the exchange rate could affect prices because South Africa imports large quantities of wheat, rice and palm oil
Movements in headline inflation are a key indicator, but decisions are also influenced by central banks around the world, especially the US Federal Reserve
Consumer inflation has eased but is still not comfortably within the central bank’s target of 3% to 6%
The central bank has maintained the key repo rate at 8.25% since hiking it by 50 basis points in May 2023
The US Federal Reserve’s ‘higher for longer’ stance and local election jitters have weighed on the rand, adding to price pressures
It’s not a straightforward answer, but Julius Malema should have been able to at least estimate
Egypt has a history of food insecurity leading to revolution, as its leaders know all too well
Inflation is now expected to return to the Reserve Bank’s midpoint target at the end of 2025, later than previously forecast
Today’s monetary policy committee meeting comes in the wake of a surprise acceleration in South Africa’s annual inflation rate
The consumer price index rose 5.6% year-on-year in February and was at 1.0% month-on-month
Having its roots in gold, the diversified mining company has been shielded from the PGM price crash
The International Monetary Fund has slashed South Africa’s 2024 growth forecast as the country’s economy grapples with logistics constraints
The favourable rainfall and an expected increase in the planting area bodes well for agriculture
Lower prices are good insofar as inflation is concerned but they suggest that economic troubles lie ahead
David Fowkes, who was appointed as an adviser to the governors last December, has worked for the Reserve Bank since 2013
Governor Lesetja Kganyago suggested the central bank will look for the inflation rate to fall within its target before it administers relief
After the release of the December inflation data, Investec chief economist Annabel Bishop said the Reserve Bank is likely to remain hawkish amid upside risks
This year will finally see interest rates fall. But whatever relief the Reserve Bank administers, it will have come too late for some
Last year was dismal on a number of fronts. And although things probably won’t get exponentially better, there is some hope on the horizon
We can now evaluate the harvest of 2023
Fraud monitors have cautioned about increased scams during the intense shopping period
Despite ongoing volatility, the monetary policy committee revised its 2023 headline inflation forecast down slightly
Despite inflation coming within a hair’s breadth of 6%, there is still reason to believe that the central bank will hold interest rates this week
However, inflation will probably remain elevated into next year
The old trade winds are blowing again and we must take notice, writes editor-in-chief Ron Derby
Data released on Wednesday showed that the annual rate accelerated to 5.4%, from a previous reading of 4.8%
As central bankers in the advanced world unite over the ‘higher for longer’ mantra, the Reserve Bank cautions against raising targets amid still-high inflation