US consumer inflation falls ahead of Fed interest rate decision

US consumer inflation falls ahead of Fed interest rate decision

By Daniel AVIS Fresh US consumer inflation data published Wednesday is unlikely to sway the Federal Reserve's plans to leave its key lending rate unchanged, but could alter how many rate cuts policymakers pencil in for this year. The annual consumer price index (CPI) came in at 3.3 percent in May, down 0.1 percentage point from April, the Labor Department said in a statement -- […]

June 12, 2024 21

Local

Small businesses big impact: Boosting SMEs to drive economic growth

In the face of a recovering economy, soaring inflation, and high interest rates, small business owners in Namibia are navigating challenging times. Now more than ever, supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is imperative, given their significant contribution to the Namibian economy. It is estimated that there are over 40 000 SMEs in Namibia, supporting the livelihoods of more than 200 000 people and contributing approximately […]

May 28, 2024 11

Africa

Kenya’s shilling is gaining value, but don’t expect it to last – expert

By Odongo Kodongo, University of the Witwatersrand Shortly after Kenya’s 2022 elections, the shilling depreciated rapidly against the US dollar – the country’s main currency for international transactions – fuelling a wave of political discontent. More than a year later, the Central Bank of Kenya, taking its cue from the International Monetary Fund, said that the run on the shilling was a market correction for a […]

April 17, 2024 10

Business / Economics

South Africa’s Reserve Bank keeps repo rate unchanged

The South African Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Committee has decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 8.25 percent. This keeps the prime lending rate in SA at 11.75 percent. SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago.

March 27, 2024 42

Business / Economics

Sri Lanka cuts key interest rates, seeks China deal

Sri Lanka's central bank cut interest rates Tuesday as the prime minister visited China seeking a debt restructuring deal crucial to maintaining an IMF bailout. Transport minister and government spokesman Bandula Gunawardana said Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena was in Beijing, the island's biggest bilateral creditor. "We are in the final stages of restructuring our foreign debt and the prime minister is in China for this purpose," Gunawardana told […]

March 26, 2024 24

Business / Economics

Morning Biznews update – 22 March 2024

With South Africa’s annual consumer price inflation increasing to 5.6% in February, exceeding economists' expectations, and rising closer to the top of the central bank's 3% to 6% target range, all hopes of an interest rate cut before the Monetary Policy Committee meeting in July have fallen. A number of economists are in fact now looking at September as the first opportunity for any easing of the country’s 8.25% repurchase rate. […]

March 22, 2024 7

Videos

IMF urges vigilance on monetary policy

https://youtu.be/UG1rZkT_FsQ The IMF is urging vigilance on monetary policy globally and says the job is not yet done when it comes to keeping inflation in check despite some weakening in key economies, a spokesperson for the Fund said Thursday (February 22) in Washington, DC. “Broadly speaking, because inflation has been coming down, but it's not yet at target or close enough to target our line, or our view remains the […]

February 23, 2024 14

Business / Economics

What does an unchanged Repo rate mean to a GIPF member?

By Amos Kambonde, Manager: Marketing services at the Government Institutions Pension Fund. Recently, consumers received positive news with the announcement of an unchanged repo rate alongside an unchanged in fuel prices across Namibia. While these developments may seem distant from the average person's daily concerns, they hold significant implications, particularly for members of the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF). Let's delve into what these announcements mean for […]

February 20, 2024 13