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Africa Holds Potential to Lead Global Growth in Next Two Decades
February 9, 2011--Following the global financial crisis, African economies quickly rebounded, giving the continent the opportunity to become a global growth pole in a mulitpolar world, the World Bank said. To do this, African countries need to sustain macroeconomic reforms and implement business friendly policies that are indispensable for attracting investors
“African governments must walk the talk of reform,” said World Bank Vice President for the Africa Region Obiageli Ezekwesili in an interview with the BBC on the sidelines of the 16th Session of the African Union summit.
“They must also ensure that the macroeconomic stability attained over the past decade does not unravel,” Ezekwesili added. “The continent must ensure that current improvements in the business and policy environment continue and that reforms in the energy, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure and basic service delivery sectors are sustained.”
Africa, she explained, has the potential to be a growth pole for many sectors. Agriculture, tourism, real estate, financial and banking services, and transport can all replicate the enormous success of Africa’s Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) revolution.
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Source: World Bank
Bonds remain a touch weaker on rand
February 10, 2011-- South African bonds remained slightly weaker in late trade on Thursday, taking their cue from a weaker local currency
By 15:50, the benchmark R157 bond was trading at 7.830% from its previous close of 7.815%, while the R207 was bid at 8.495% from its previous close of 8.465%. The R186 was bid at 8.680% from 8.630%.
The rand was bid at 7.2783 to the dollar from its previous close of 7.1995.
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SOurce: FIN24
JSE ends lower as yields rise
February 10, 2011--The JSE pared some earlier steep losses but still closed weaker on Thursday as investors appeared to be switching to bonds from equities. Also adding selling pressure to shares was global investors reducing their exposure to emerging markets.
The volatile trade, which saw the benchmark index drop more than 250 points, mirrored sour global sentiments, with international stocks generally wobbly. This index was down 1.14%, or 372.26 points, at noon.
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Source: FIN24
Shock as factory output stalls
February 10, 2011--Growth in South Africa’s manufacturing output slowed sharply to 0.2% year-on-year (y/y) in volume terms in December compared with a 4.6% increase in November, Statistics South Africa said on Thursday.
A Reuters poll on Monday predicted a y/y increase of 4.1% in December output.
Compared with November, factory production in volume terms fell by a seasonally adjusted 0.2% in December.
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Source: FIN24
Bonds mostly firmer in late trade
February 9, 2011--South African bonds were mostly firmer in late trade on Wednesday. But a local trader said the curve had steepened after the auction announcement in which the National Treasury said it would auction 500 million rand worth of R203 bonds and 1.6 billion rand worth of R186 bonds at its weekly auction on February 15.
By 15:50, the benchmark R157 bond was trading at 7.450% from its previous close of 7.850%, while the R207 was bid at 8.490% from its previous close of 8.500%. The R186 was trading at 8.680% from 8.640%.
The rand was bid at 7.2053 to the dollar from its previous close of 7.1704.
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Source: FIN24
JSE weaker amid profit-taking
February 9, 2011--The JSE gave up the day's gains and ended weaker on Wednesday as investors took profits of the table after a strong run in the past few sessions.
At its close, the JSE all share index was down 0.34%, with gold counters 0.21% lower and platinum miners giving up 0.46%. Resources, meanwhile, fell 0.47%.
Banks dropped 0.13%, financials were unchanged and industrials lost 0.35%.
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Source: FIN24
Japan plans to invest billions in Africa
February 9, 2011--Japan is keen to invest "billions of dollars" in minerals and infrastructure in Africa, trying to catch up to regional rival China for influence on the continent, a Japanese trade official said on Tuesday.
Yoshikatsu Nakayama, vice minister of economy, trade and industry, said Japan was scouting for projects in which to invest, either via its state-owned oil and mining company JOGMEC or via joint ventures between local and Japanese companies.
China has spent billions of dollars on projects in Africa, trying to secure the resources it needs to fuel its quickly accelerating economy.
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Source: Miningmx
Bonds stay firm in quiet late trade
February 8, 2011-- South African bonds were firm in quiet late trade on Tuesday. A local trader said the market had been tracking the currency throughout the session.
By 15:50, the benchmark R157 bond was trading at 7.850% from its previous close of 7.885%, while the R207 was bid at 8.520% from its previous close of 8.555%. The R186 was bid at 8.665% from 8.670%.
The rand was bid at 7.2165 to the dollar from its previous close of 7.2302.
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Source: FIN24
Flat JSE digests China rate move
February 8, 2011-- The JSE ended flat on Tuesday,failing to keep earlier gains as investors reacted negatively to plans of another interest rate hike in China.
Wall Street and Asian stock exchanges had yet to digest the latest round of Chinese monetary tightening, a portfolio manager said.
At its close, the JSE all share index was unchanged, with gold counters rising 0.89% and platinum miners gaining 0.93%. But resources fell 0.16%
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Source: FIN24
Bonds firmer in quiet trade
February 7, 2011--South African bond yields were firmer in quiet late trade on Monday on the back of local and foreign investor interest.
By 15:30, the benchmark R157 bond was trading at 7.850% from its previous close of 7.910%, while the R207 was trading at 8.550% from its previous close of 8.585%. The R186 was bid at 8.685% from 8.690%.
The rand was bid at 7.2616 to the dollar from its previous close of 7.2351.
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Source: FIN24
