Tag: quantitative easing

The South African Reserve Bank is set to announce its policy rate decision this afternoon, will analysts divided on whether rates will remain unchanged or cut by a further 25 basis points.

Economists are divided in their expectations of the MPC rate decision taking place today. Some are suggesting a rate hold as it’s close to the bottom of the cycle, and others expecting a 25 basis point cut which would make it the lowest interest rate point in decades. PwC expects no change in the rates this afternoon and joining CNBC Africa for more is Christie Viljoen, Economist at PwC.

Next week expects a crucial budget that could decide the trajectory of the post Covid-19 economy. Finance Minister Tito Mboweni will deliver his emergency budget on Wednesday the 24th. Meanwhile there’s a budget issue. The South African Reserve Bank is to resist the call from government to finance it growing budget deficit with aggressive quantitative easing. According to Governor Lesetja Kganyago it could add even more strain on the National Treasury and the large-scale quantitative easing could bankrupt the central bank. Maarten Ackerman, Chief Economist for Citadel joins CNBC Africa for more.

The COVID-19 lock-down is expected to cost South Africa’s economy over one trillion rand in lost output. One of the ways to fund South Africa’s recovery could be for the Reserve Bank to follow its peers globally and print money – a move, which up to now, the bank has been reluctant to do. That’s the view of Professor Brian Kantor, Chief Strategist & Economist at Investec Wealth & Investment.

In an emergency move Sunday, the Federal Reserve announced it is dropping its benchmark interest rate to zero and launching a new round of quantitative easing.

By Maitse Motsoane, Portfolio Manager at Prescient Investment Management. Re-pricing of risk has proved to be a theme for 2018 as central banks gradually reverse conditions that underpinned the risk-seeking behaviour of the...