The rand has slumped to a six-week low and bond yields soared to the highest in 16 months.
The rand weakened, reversing earlier gains, after a report showed manufacturing growth slowed more than estimated in May and mining output fell.
This week will bring a possible clarification of the US Federal Reserve Bank’s policy intentions, as well as key economic data from China.
The rand strengthened, ending its longest quarterly losing streak in almost 12 years, as exporters converted earnings from abroad.
SA’s revenue outlook could dim even more if markets react adversely to an awaited announcement by the US Federal Reserve, warns the finance minister.
The US Federal Reserve’s two-day policy meeting will set the tone for global markets this week as leaders of the G8 gather for a summit in Ireland.
While South Africa’s economic calendar may be quiet, policymakers at four major central banks are due to announce decisions this week.
Do the world’s central banks plan to restart the printing presses? The question has preoccupied markets for months. This week may yield some clues.
The US vice-presidential candidate has denied he profited from a 2008 meeting with the Federal Reserve chair Ben Bernanke.
Last week’s market carnage in the US and Europe spread to Asia this morning. Now the ball is in the central banks’ court, writes Matt Quigley.
Stephen Goodson has been on the South African Reserve Bank’s board from 2003. He holds extremist views on Hitler’s Germany and Gaddafi’s Libya.
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/ 22 September 2011
The rand bounced from two-year lows against the dollar but remained vulnerable as investors dumped high risk assets.
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/ 22 September 2011
The rand tumbled nearly 3% to hit 16-month lows against the dollar as importers piled into the greenback, spooked by a recent trend of sharp declines.
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/ 9 September 2011
The US Federal Reserve chairperson Ben Bernanke has said the US central bank would spare no effort to boost weak growth.
Asian stock markets were unsteady as investors waited to see whetherBen Bernanke would promise new steps to help the US economy ward off a double-dip.
Asian stocks gained some ground on Wednesday, following a rebound in US shares, after the Federal Reserve pledged to keep interest rates near zero.
A plunging stock market may force the Federal Reserve to step in and keep America from sliding back into recession.
US President Barack Obama on Tuesday awarded Federal Reserve chairperson Ben Bernanke a second term.
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/ 30 January 2009
Japanese industrial production fell 9,6% in December and core inflation almost evaporated, reinforcing expectations of a record economic contraction.
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/ 16 December 2008
The Fed appeared set to cut interest rates to within sight of zero on Tuesday and Japan was weighing steps to ease funding.
Washington has seen a ‘throw the bums out’ mood before. But this is something else.
The Federal Reserve warned this week that financial markets remained under heavy pressure as it announced that it was holding American interest rates.