Free Trial

SOUTH AFRICA: SARB Cuts Rates By 25bp, Starting Its Easing Cycle

SOUTH AFRICA
  • The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) kicked off its easing cycle with an expected 25bp cut to the repo rate, refusing to mimic the Fed's 50bp cut from the day before. The decision came on the back of below-forecast inflation outturn released Wednesday. Governor Lesetja Kganyago said that the MPC discussed an unchanged stance, a 25bp cut, and a 50bp cut, but eventually reached consensus to reduce the repo rate by a quarter of a percentage point.
  • Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa vowed that the government will protect South African's from higher electricity costs after the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) approved Eskom's request to recoup ZAR8bn for the financial year and rumours have been doing the rounds that the utility might ask for a 46% electricity tariff hike.
  • The National Treasury holds an auction for inflation-linked bonds today. South Africa's 5-year and 10-year breakeven inflation rates continue to sit close to multi-year lows, at 4.35% and 5.25% respectively.
160 words

To read the full story

Close

Why MNI

MNI is the leading provider

of intelligence and analysis on the Global Fixed Income, Foreign Exchange and Energy markets. We use an innovative combination of real-time analysis, deep fundamental research and journalism to provide unique and actionable insights for traders and investors. Our "All signal, no noise" approach drives an intelligence service that is succinct and timely, which is highly regarded by our time constrained client base.

Our Head Office is in London with offices in Chicago, Washington and Beijing, as well as an on the ground presence in other major financial centres across the world.
  • The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) kicked off its easing cycle with an expected 25bp cut to the repo rate, refusing to mimic the Fed's 50bp cut from the day before. The decision came on the back of below-forecast inflation outturn released Wednesday. Governor Lesetja Kganyago said that the MPC discussed an unchanged stance, a 25bp cut, and a 50bp cut, but eventually reached consensus to reduce the repo rate by a quarter of a percentage point.
  • Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa vowed that the government will protect South African's from higher electricity costs after the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) approved Eskom's request to recoup ZAR8bn for the financial year and rumours have been doing the rounds that the utility might ask for a 46% electricity tariff hike.
  • The National Treasury holds an auction for inflation-linked bonds today. South Africa's 5-year and 10-year breakeven inflation rates continue to sit close to multi-year lows, at 4.35% and 5.25% respectively.