insert_link Business / Economics Cirrus Capital’s Groenewald Offers Insight on Central Bank’s Interest Rate Decision The Bank of Namibia In October lowered its main interest rate, citing a faster-than-anticipated decline in inflation and the need for economic support. At that point in time, the Monetary Policy Committee unanimously agreed to reduce the repo rate by 25 basis points, bringing it to 7.25%. Cirrus Capital economist Tannan Groenewald shares his outlook on what the Bank might do next. ENG Tannan Groenewald repo todayDecember 4, 2024 12
insert_link Business / Economics FNB South Africa warns that today’s fuel price hike is a blow to holidaymakers FNB South Africa warns that today’s fuel price hike, with 95-octane and 93-octane petrol increasing by 17-cents per litre and diesel by over 50-cents, is a blow to holidaymakers. The bank attributes the rise to a weaker rand, driven by global factors like the United States elections and higher international diesel prices. FNB senior economist Koketso Mano advises citizens to revise their fuel budgets: todayDecember 4, 2024 14
insert_link Business / Economics Trump vows to stop Nippon takeover of U.S. steel U.S. President-elect Donald Trump says he will block a deal for a Japanese company to acquire U.S. steel. Instead, he insists, his tax and tariff plans will make the U.S. manufacturer strong again by being American-owned. Caroline Malone reports from Washington. todayDecember 4, 2024 17
insert_link Business / Economics Bank of Namibia Set to Announce New Repo Rate With the Bank of Namibia’s repo rate decision set for later today, consumers are preparing for potential changes to borrowing costs and savings. The central bank maintained the repo rate at 7.25% during its last monetary policy update. Cirrus Capital economist Robert McGregor noted that while GDP growth is positive, private sector credit extension continues to lag. todayDecember 4, 2024 19
insert_link Business / Economics UK will not choose sides in potential US trade war UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says Britain doesn't have to choose between the European Union and the United States. He delivered a major foreign policy speech to push back against claims the UK will need to pick sides if Donald Trump's administration begins a trade war. Starmer praised his relationship with President-elect Trump. But he also insisted the UK will continue to support Ukraine so it can be […] todayDecember 3, 2024 15
insert_link Africa Joe Biden’s Angola visit targets multinational railway project US President Joe Biden has embarked on his long-awaited first visit to sub-Saharan Africa during his presidency, arriving in Angola amid uncertainty over the future of US-Africa relations, as former President Donald Trump prepares to run again in the upcoming elections. Biden's visit focuses on trade and heavy investment in infrastructure, particularly in Angola’s oil-rich regions, with analysts suggesting that this move is aimed at countering China’s growing influence on […] todayDecember 3, 2024 17
insert_link Africa BRICS nations would suffer under a 100 percent tariff from Trump The economies of BRICS nations would be damaged should US president-elect Donald Trump impose a 100-percent tariff on the countries. This is according to Future Forex CEO, Harry Scherzer. Trump has threatened to impose the tariff if BRICS countries were to create a rival currency to the US dollar. Scherzer says the possibility that Trump sticks to his guns and does impose tariffs, would hamstring South Africa in […] todayDecember 3, 2024 18
insert_link Business / Economics Strike stops Volkswagen production in Germany Volkswagen assembly lines in Germany have been brought to a standstill after workers launched strike action. VW, Europe's biggest automaker, is facing financial pressures led by falling market share in China. todayDecember 2, 2024 22
insert_link Business / Economics October occupancy rate drops to 65.15% The national occupancy rate for October stood at national occupancy rate for October stood at 65.15%, slightly lower than the 65.54% recorded in October 2023 and below the pre-pandemic level of 69.87% from October 2019. The year-to-date occupancy rate for 2024 averaged 54.17%, falling just short of the 54.76% seen in 2019. Gitta Paetzold the Hospitality Association of Namibia's CEO. todayDecember 2, 2024 15