The rand lost ground yesterday as SA lost out to exemption from the US steel and aluminum import tariffs (25% and 10% respectively).
An increase in the oil price and a stronger dollar added to the rands demise. The tone of tonight’s Fed interest……..
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The rand is stable as markets wait for significant news/data to find new direction.
Risk appetite has returned, but with continuous geo-political tensions, fears over a trade war and future Fed hikes, the local unit will most likely continue to trade in its current range. In global news:
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First up is US consumer price inflation, which is expected to come in around 2.4% (ahead of the 2% target and fuelling interest rate increase fears).
The US Fed is next, where March’s meeting minutes should provide insight into how many interest rates hikes……..
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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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Friday night ended on a high, with no dreaded downgrade from credit ratings agency Moody’s.
The announcement was greatly welcomed as it was supported with the outlook being changed to stable, which looks to restore some
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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 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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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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The rand weakened overnight as a result of better than expect US Jobs numbers and wage growth released Friday, sparking fears of higher than expected US interest rate increases during 2018.
The US stock market lost 2.5% as investors cashed out to hold USD in anticipation of a Fed hike in March. The GBP/ZAR continues to flirt with the 17/£ level as a false break to 17.10/£ on Friday was given back on speculation over Zuma’s demise.
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