The rand held its ground after the US, France and Britain launched a “successful” air strike against Syrian chemical facilities on Friday.
The dollar strengthened after markets were convinced that the strike was a once-off event, but global equity markets weakened and Brent Crude Oil reached its highest price since 2014 at 72 USD/barrel.
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US and China tensions continues to grab the headlines, despite disappointing US jobs data Friday.
The US created 103k jobs in March, a far cry from the expected 188k, with unemployment remaining at 4.1%. Emerging markets have recovered slightly, with the rand hugging 12/$. President Trump called China’s bluff over the weekend, threatening another $100bn in tariffs.
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Following China’s 15% tariff on US products, ‘Merica hit back yesterday laying out plans to impose a 25% tariff on Chinese import products.
The tariff could see more than 1300 Chinese imports being effected totalling more than $50 billion. In response, China said it ………
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China’s previously announced tariff on US products came into effect yesterday with more than 120 US products being affected.
The introduction of the 15% tariff could spark fresh fears of a trade war amongst global markets. On the topic of 15%, yesterday also saw the increase of VAT and with fuel levies set to………
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Local markets shift focus to the SARB’s MPC meeting today which could confirm a possible interest rate cut.
Speculation is that Governor Lesetja Kganyago could cut the interest rate by 25bps. Following Moody’s decision………
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The rand strengthened overnight despite US inflation and expected US interest rate hikes.
Future US inflation is predicted to break the Feds 2% target, forcing the powers that be to increase interest rates
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The rand remains firm and opens the day below 11.80/$, spurred on by pro-rand events which transpired yesterday.
SA’s January manufacturing output rose by 2.5%, supporting the expectation that the domestic economy is gaining momentum.
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The dollar rebounded late Friday on news of higher-than-expected US jobs growth in February.
Hourly wages moderated, easing inflation fears and concerns that the US Fed would hike interest rates 4 times this year.
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The rand opens at 11.83/$ after emerging market currencies recovered overnight thanks to dollar weakness. The greenback weakened after Pres. Trump’s plans to impose tariffs on steel/aluminium imports took a big blow, with Democrats and Republicans being opposed to the idea (meaning the plan probably won’t become policy and a global trade war less likely)…
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By all accounts President Ramaphosa’s first address to the nation was a roaring success.
All eyes now shift to the 2018 Budget Speech set for Wednesday at 14:00. The rand’s reaction to SONA was muted, with markets waiting to see Wednesday’s balancing act. National Treasury’s focus will be on how to confront the ballooning budget deficit and government debt, amongst many other issues (with the short term goal being to avoid yet another credit rating downgrade).
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