insert_link Business / Economics Economist Urges Reforms as South Africa’s GDP Shrinks by 0.3% In S.A, North-West University Business School economist, Raymond Parsons, has called for urgent economic reforms following the disappointing gross domestic product growth figures for the third quarter, when it decreased by 0.3-percent. Parsons calls for more investment and faster reforms from both the public and private sectors to drive job-rich growth and improve the economy: today4 December, 2024
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 today4 December, 2024
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: today4 December, 2024
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. today4 December, 2024
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. today4 December, 2024
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 […] today3 December, 2024
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 […] today3 December, 2024
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 […] today3 December, 2024
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. today2 December, 2024