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USD/ZAR: Rising CPI Unlikely to Impact Accommodative SARB Policy

SOUTH AFRICA
  • USD/ZAR trades lower at the start of the session, exerting pressure on the 14.00 level once again aided by early USD selling.
  • While phase 2 of the vaccines rollout has begun, it has predictably been slower than expected in its early days.
  • However, the health department is looking to expand its rollout capacity substantially next week, which will be key in gauging whether the ambitious vaccination targets can be met.
  • Core focus today is on local CPI, Retail sales and the FOMC minutes.
  • CPI is expected to notch up, but remain below the midpoint of the range – adding no threat to the SARB's "extremely accommodative" policy stance.
  • Although unexpected, a higher print above the 4.5% y/y level (SARB range midpoint) would likely see a more hawkish market reaction as potential rate hike expectations are brought forward.
  • However, with the balance of risks to inflation mostly to the downside, the more likely scenario is a flat print in line with expectations or marginally lower.
  • Intraday Sup1: 13.9844, Sup2: 13.952, Res1: 14.0768, Res2: 14.1536
MNI London Bureau | +44 020-3983-7894 | murray.nichol@marketnews.com
MNI London Bureau | +44 020-3983-7894 | murray.nichol@marketnews.com

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