💹 Major Currency Snapshot: USDZAR: 18.26EURZAR: 20.41GBPZAR: 24.30 Introduction: South Africa’s official unemployment rate increased to 32.9% in the first quarter of 2025, up from 31.9% in the final quarter of 2024. This rise in unemployment data contributed to the weakening of the South African rand. Meanwhile, the United States and China agreed to slash […]
💹 Major Currency Snapshot: USDZAR: 18.25EURZAR: 20.27GBPZAR: 24.08 Introduction: Debate surrounding a potential interest rate cut in South Africa, driven by low inflation but complicated by persistent financial pressure on consumers and a high repo rate. This domestic discussion is intertwined with the impact of global events, particularly the recent de-escalation of the US-China trade
💹 Major Currency Snapshot: USDZAR: 18.18EURZAR: 20.42GBPZAR: 24.18 Introduction: Signs of progress in US-China trade talks over the weekend, along with easing geopolitical tensions, have lifted global market sentiment and boosted Wall Street stock futures and the dollar against safe haven peers. While investors are hopeful for potential tariff reductions, specifics from the trade discussions
💹 Major Currency Snapshot: USDZAR: 18.23EURZAR: 20.48GBPZAR: 24.13 Introduction: Global financial markets are reacting to developments in international trade, with optimism around potential de-escalation in US-China talks and the recent US-UK agreement influencing various assets like stocks, currencies, and commodities. Amidst this global backdrop, South Africa’s economy is navigating its own challenges, including manufacturing weakness
💹 Major Currency Snapshot: USDZAR: 18.27EURZAR: 20.63GBPZAR: 24.30 Introduction: We discuss significant economic developments, including South Africa’s Operation Vulindlela, a presidential reform program focused on boosting growth, employment, and infrastructure development. Concurrently, the sources detail the potential disruptive impacts of US trade policies, particularly under a possible Trump administration, on global supply chains, African trade
💹 Major Currency Snapshot: USDZAR: 18.22EURZAR: 20.70GBPZAR: 24.32 Introduction: The discussion centers on the complexities of the current global economic landscape, heavily influenced by US-China trade tensions and the resulting tariffs which are impacting global trade, investment, and growth forecasts for various countries. Analysis of specific regional situations, such as the South African economy, its
💹 Major Currency Snapshot: USDZAR: 18.29EURZAR: 20.70GBPZAR: 24.30 Introduction: Insights into current global currency dynamics, highlighting the US dollar’s ongoing decline in dominance driven by factors like trade policies and expected Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, which is leading to a more fragmented international system. In contrast, currencies like the South African Rand are navigating
PFS Market Sentiment Podcast – Arno’s Take on the Rand, Weaker USD, FED Outlook Read More »
💹 Major Currency Snapshot: USDZAR: 18.39EURZAR: 20.82GBPZAR: 24.43 Introduction: This past week offered a mixed economic picture for South Africa, marked by rand stability driven partly by eased fears around the government of national unity and the VAT rate decision, while local equity markets saw gains despite weakness in basic materials. Discussions around Finance Minister
💹 Major Currency Snapshot: USDZAR: 18.45EURZAR: 20.88GBPZAR: 24.54 Introduction: Recent sources highlight the volatile state of the South African Rand, which has reached historic lows against the US dollar amid global trade tensions and domestic political challenges, particularly regarding fiscal policy within the Government of National Unity. Despite a surprising drop in inflation, downgraded economic
💹 Major Currency Snapshot: USDZAR: 18.57EURZAR: 21.14GBPZAR: 24.89 Introduction: Insights into private equity investment priorities and challenges across Africa, notably in South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, and Nigeria, alongside the significant hurdle of exchange rate volatility. They then shift focus to the turbulent landscape of global markets under US trade policies, detailing how tariffs and their