Sarb cycle indicator weakens

The SA Reserve Bank leading business cycle indicator weakened in March after a resurgence late last year, says First National Bank.

• Sarb: Banking sector well capitalised
• Rising inflation a concern - Sarb official
• Building confidence increases - FNB

Sarb: Inflation to remain in target range

SA's inflation outlook has worsened because of a weaker rand but is still seen holding within a 3%-6% target band, a Reserve Bank official says.

• Rising inflation a concern - Sarb official
• Zim's March inflation slows to 2.76%
• Analysts: No rate hikes soon
• Why interest rates are staying at 5%
• Interest rates on hold at 5%
• February inflation accelerates

Rising inflation a concern - Sarb official

Rising inflation and a volatile rand are among the main challenges for monetary policy authorities, says the Reserve Bank’s head of research.

• No room for rate cut this year
• Why interest rates are staying at 5%
• Interest rates on hold at 5%
• February inflation accelerates
• Marcus remarks show inflation is winning
• Analysts: No rate hikes soon

Rand tanks on rates announcement

Reserve Bank governor Gill Marcus has made it clear that she would not be stepping in to stem a 9% depreciation in the rand this year.

• Why interest rates are staying at 5%
• Marcus: Recent rand weakness overdone
• 8% hike bad for Eskom, good for rates

Interest rates on hold at 5%

The South African Reserve Bank has left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 5.0%, citing inflation and currency concerns.

• Economic growth seen subdued in 2013
• 8% hike bad for Eskom, good for rates
• Marcus: Recent rand weakness overdone

Reserve Bank indicator ticks up

The Reserve Bank's monthly leading business cycle indicator ticked up 0.1% in December, as business cycle indicators for key trading partner states accelerated.

• Sarb governor‚ board forgo salary hikes
• Sarb appoints Bradlow to head new dept
• Sarb set to hold rates as strikes weigh
• Sarb sentiment indicator ticks up
• Marcus worries about rand
• Reserve Bank indicator ticks up

Sarb appoints Bradlow to head new dept

The SA Reserve Bank says it has appointed Daniel Bradlow as the head of the newly-established international economic relations and policy department.

• Sarb governor‚ board forgo salary hikes
• Sarb nationalisation rejected
• Sarb: No sign of credit bubble
• Sarb sees strikes curbing growth
• Sarb sees lower economic growth
• Sarb sounds inflation warning

Sarb governor‚ board forgo salary hikes

In response to a call by President Zuma to freeze salary increases, the governors of the Reserve Bank and all board members have decided to forgo salary hikes.

• Zuma must freeze own pay first - Sunter
• Salary freeze to include public sector
• Freeze top earners' salaries - Zuma

Sarb nationalisation rejected

A state-owned central bank will be a waste of "billions of rands", SA Reserve Bank governor Gill Marcus says.

• SA net reserves fall to $48.626bn
• Debt useful but dangerous - analyst
• Sarb: No sign of credit bubble

Kids 'so rich' they tear up money...

Members of a growing youth culture, "izikhothane", tore up and threw away R100 notes in Braamfontein, Johannesburg on Saturday, the Sowetan reported.

Debt useful but dangerous - analyst

Developing economies must treat debt with caution because although it can be useful, it is also dangerous, a Reserve Bank conference has heard.

• Govt debt to hit R1.7 trillion
• Consumers lie to get loans
• South Africans borrow to buy food
• Unsecured lending surges to R381bn
• Consumers owe more than R1 trillion
• Recession sends govt debt into overdrive

'Randela' banknotes to start circulating

New bank notes featuring former president Nelson Mandela will enter circulation on November 6, the Reserve Bank says.

• Sarb launches new Mandela notes
• New banknotes to bear Mandela image
• Rand flat in quiet trade

SA lenders bank healthy profits

The banking sector is well placed to withstand vulnerabilities and future adverse shocks as profitability remains high‚ says the South African Reserve Bank.

• Unsecured lending surges to R381bn
• Marcus warns of vicious cycle of strikes
• Bonds firm after Sarb comments

Sarb leading indicator recovers

SA's composite leading business economic indicator rose for the first time after eight declines on a year on year basis by 0.1 % year on year in August.

• Reserve Bank indicator improves in July
• Leading indicator falls in May
• Reserve Bank indicator drops
• Reserve Bank indicator ticks up
• Sarb index shows economy on growth course
• Sarb sentiment indicator falls in June

SA should adjust policy stance - Marcus

Reserve Bank governor Gill Marcus says the spillovers of the global economic slowdown on SA are profound and need to be addressed to improve confidence levels.

• Rates decision wasn't easy - Marcus
• Petrol, food prices main inflation risks
• Interest rates unchanged

Petrol, food prices main inflation risks

Reserve Bank governor Gill Marcus says inflation is the main reason for keeping interest rates at 5%, citing food and petrol prices as the major upside risks.

• Interest rates unchanged
• Brace for another petrol hike
• Inflation rises to 5%

SA spending growth quickens

Spending growth has risen to 4.7% in the second quarter as growth in fixed capital formation increased and government spent more on wages, the Reserve Bank says.

• SA economy faces era of stagnation
• Gordhan: Worst over for SA economy
• SA's state, household spending rises
• Gauteng economy at strongest in 6 years
• Consumers remain backbone of SA economy
• KZN momentum may lose steam

Sarb launches new Mandela notes

The SA Reserve Bank has launched a national campaign on a new range of banknotes honouring former president Nelson Mandela.

• Dirty Zim dollars to be replaced
• SA outsources printing of R100 notes
• Head of SA Bank Note sacked

Sarb sentiment indicator falls in June

The Reserve Bank's monthly leading business cycle indicator continued to decline in June, falling 1.1% from May as export prices for commodities deteriorated.

• Repo rate seen steady at 5.5%
• Factory output blows past forecasts
• Rate cut may hurt debt levels
• Leading indicator falls in May
• Poor productivity holding back business
• Reserve Bank cuts interest rates

Major pyramid scheme exposed

The Reserve Bank has reportedly swooped on key players in a pyramid scheme that has netted R265m.

• Sarb warns of ponzi schemes
• I made a lot of people rich: Madoff
• Aurora 'was run like a Ponzi scheme'

Leading indicator falls in May

The Reserve Bank's leading business cycle indicator declined 0.9% in May compared with April as business confidence continued to deteriorate and commodity prices dropped.

• Reserve Bank indicator drops
• Sarb index shows economy on growth course
• Sarb index shows softer growth outlook
• US economic indicator at 5-month high
• Sarb index rise bodes well for economy
• Reserve Bank indicator ticks up

Beware foreign suitors

The Reserve Bank must guard stakes in SA banks, says Mzwandile Jacks.

• Rate probe turns to four major banks
• Former Barclays CEO foregoes bonus
• Bank chiefs have worst reputation
• Barclays scandal rattles global finance
• Absa rivals to escape its debt woes
• 'Probe into Absa takeover needed'

Rate cut may hurt debt levels

The SA Reserve Bank's interest rate cut may negatively affect debt levels, says First National Bank Home Loans strategist John Loos.

• Spanish debt heads towards crisis levels
• Greek debt could derail again - EU/IMF
• Greek debt talks slowed on labour deal

Reserve Bank cuts interest rates

The SA Reserve Bank has cut the repo rate by 50 basis points to five percent, says Reserve Bank governor Gill Marcus.

• Retail sales dim rate cut hopes
• Barclays former exec testifies
• Libor scandal undermines market confidence