Share

Marcus warns on rand as capital flow era ends

Johannesburg - The rand eased against the dollar early on Tuesday after SA Reserve Bank (Sarb) governor Gill Marcus said the outlook for emerging markets is fragile due to the end of the "era" of abundant capital flows.

The rand was at R10.68 against the dollar at 08:49, 0.4% weaker than its New York close.

The unit has underperformed emerging market peers this week, weighed down by concerns about stuttering economic growth stemming from a crippling five-month platinum strike that slashed mining production in the first quarter.

However, Marcus told an accountancy conference in Johannesburg that she expected Africa's most advanced economy to avoid recession by missing a second consecutive quarter of contraction in the April-June period.

Even if she is right, the constrained growth is likely to worry the two ratings agencies that are due to deliver credit reviews on Friday.

Most analysts are predicting a downgrade, although South Africa is expected to maintain its coveted investment grade rating.

Manufacturing output data due at 13:00 will also give a clue as to the health of the key industrial sector.

Wage talks between labour union Amcu and major platinum producers remained deadlocked on Monday.

Hopes for an end to the five month strike were dashed after the new mining minister abandoned his mediation role.

Government bonds dipped, with the yield on the benchmark 2026 issue rising 3 basis points to 8.245%.
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.76
+1.4%
Rand - Pound
23.43
+0.3%
Rand - Euro
20.08
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.25
+0.3%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.2%
Platinum
924.10
-0.0%
Palladium
959.00
+0.1%
Gold
2,337.68
0.0%
Silver
27.19
-0.0%
Brent Crude
89.50
+0.6%
Top 40
69,358
+1.3%
All Share
75,371
+1.4%
Resource 10
62,363
+0.4%
Industrial 25
103,903
+1.3%
Financial 15
16,161
+2.2%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders