Repo Rates

Although economists say there is room now for SARB to cut the repo rate in order to strengthen the economy – the central bank kept it unchanged

The rate also helps target inflation. The recent inflation rate is at 4.3% — which is well within the central bank’s target of 3% – 6%

With the repo rate unchanged, the prime lending rate will stay at 10%

Governor Lesetja Kganyago says the central bank expects GDP growth of 1.2% in 2018, down from its previous estimate of 1.7%

Nedbank Group’s Economic Unit forecasted on Monday that interest rates in South Africa will remain unchanged into late 2019

The Monetary Policy Committee’s says it was mindful of the anaemic state of the economy when deciding to leave rates unchanged.

Investors and economists will be eager to hear if the South African Reserve Bank will keep the repo rate on hold at 5.5% on Thursday.

The prime lending rate remains at 9% in the wake of Reserve Bank governor Gill Marcus’s announcement that the repurchase rate will be kept at 5.5%.

The rand has bounced back from a five-year low on expectations that the Reserve Bank will raise the repo rate as inflation grows.

GIll Marcus’s surprise announcement that the repo rate will increase to 5.5% is in line with recent actions taken in other emerging economies.

Reserve Bank governor Gill Marcus has announced an increase of 50 basis points in the repurchase rate, due to a weak rand and inflationary risks.

Investors on Wednesday morning awaited Reserve Bank governor Gill Marcus’s announcement on the repo rate.

Derivatives used to speculate interest rates tumbled after South African inflation was found to be lower than expected.

South Africa’s GDP growth has been only 0.7% in the third quarter of 2013, the slowest pace in more than four years.

The repo rate will remain unchanged at 5%, meaning that the prime lending rate from banks to consumers will stay at 8.5%, says Gill Marcus.