No image available
/ 28 May 2008

CPIX figures ‘seal the case for rate hike’

South Africa’s targeted CPIX (consumer inflation less mortgage costs) rate quickened unexpectedly to a near five-and-a-half year high of 10,4% year-on-year in April from 10,1% in March, official data showed on Wednesday. Mike Schussler, economist at T-Sec, said: ”That seals the case for interest-rate hikes. Inflation continues to shock.”

No image available
/ 27 May 2008

GDP slows due to contraction in mining

South Africa’s economic growth rate slowed to 2,1% in the first quarter of 2008 on a seasonally adjusted and annualised basis, official data showed on Tuesday, citing a sharp drop in mining due to a power crisis. Statistics South Africa said Q1 GDP slowed from 5,3% in the fourth quarter of 2007.

No image available
/ 27 March 2008

February PPI ‘a shock to the system’

South Africa’s producer price inflation (PPI) accelerated above forecasts to 11,2% year-on-year in February from 10,4% in January, official data showed on Thursday.
Statistics South Africa said the headline number, representing domestic output, stood at 1,3% on a monthly basis, compared with 1% previously. Economists polled last week forecast that annual PPI would come in at 10,7%, while the monthly rate of increase was seen at 0,8%.

No image available
/ 26 March 2008

Inflation jumps to 9,4% in February

The increase in South Africa’s consumer price index excluding mortgage rate changes (CPIX) for metro and other areas, which is used by the South African Reserve Bank for its inflation target, was 9,4% year-on-year in February from 8,8% in January. The key drivers were higher food and petrol prices.

No image available
/ 28 February 2008

Inflation surge boosts rate-hike chances

South Africa’s consumer inflation, which jumped unexpectedly in January, raised the risk of further monetary tightening despite worries over slowing economic growth. Statistics South Africa said on Wednesday that targeted CPIX (consumer inflation less mortgage costs) stood at 8,8% year-on-year in January compared with 8,6% in December.

No image available
/ 20 December 2007

November PPI slows to 9,1%

South Africa’s producer price inflation (PPI) slowed to 9,1% year-on-year in November, below forecasts, from a 9,5% rise in October. On a monthly basis, PPI rose by 0,3% after a 1,1% jump in October. Economists had forecast that annual PPI would come in at 9,7%, while the monthly rate of increase was seen at 0,8%.

No image available
/ 19 December 2007

SA inflation jumps, backs rate rise

South African consumer inflation raced further away from the central bank’s band in November, backing the case for another interest rate rise, despite a slowdown in retail sales. The targeted CPIX gauge — which strips out mortgage costs — jumped to 7,9% year-on-year from 7,3% in October.

No image available
/ 27 September 2007

PPI slows to ‘better than expected’ 9,4%

South Africa’s producer price inflation (PPI) slowed to 9,4% year-on-year in August, below forecasts, after a 10,3% increase in July, official data showed on Thursday. On a monthly basis, PPI increased by 0,7% after a 1,6% rise in July. Economists had forecast that annual PPI come in at 9,7%, while the monthly rate of increase was seen at 1%.