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Brics Q&A
May 16, 2013--AS THE developed economies languish, the world's attention is increasingly focused on the fast-growing Brics countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
Emerging markets expert Mark Mobius answers some pertinent questions.
Growth in Bric economies has slowed down in 2012 and early 2013. They are now facing major problems. How do you perceive the macroeconomic situation in each country? What are their major risks?
It is a bit of an exaggeration to say that the Bric countries are “facing major problems”. Their gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates have slowed but apart from Brazil, the other three economies are still growing much, much faster than most developed countries.
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Source: FIN24
JSE flat, labour woes weigh on mines
May 15, 2013--The JSE was flat in early trade on Wednesday, with labour unrest and metal prices weighing on mining stocks while mild strength in industrial counters helped offset those falls.
At 9:20‚ the JSE All Share [JSE:J203] index was 0.02% softer at 40 702.16 points and the Top 40 - (Tradeable) [JSE:J200] index was 0.03% lower.
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Source: FIN24
Rand down on labour tensions
May 15, 2013--The rand was weaker against major currencies on Wednesday at midday as ongoing labour tensions in the platinum sector and poor eurozone GDP figures weighed.
“Labour tensions are the key drivers behind the rand’s weakness. Yesterday we had a big movement and today we’ve had a slight drift as the pressure continues‚” said Viv Govender‚ a market analyst at Vunani Private clients.
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Source: FIN24
JSE's platinum index falls
April 14, 2013--The JSE platinum index JPLAT was down more than 4% on Tuesday morning as labour tensions brought production to a halt at Lonmin's (LON) Rustenburg mine and threatened to disrupt Anglo Platinum [JSE:AMS](Amplats) proposed restructuring plan.
At 9:54 the platinum index was down 4.45% at 1 460.16.
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Source: FIN24
Bonds softer on weaker rand
May 14, 2013--The South African bond market was softer in midday trade on Tuesday on the weaker rand.
“We are following the rand at the moment‚ so there is a softer tone‚ but the auction went well‚ so there is still good underlying demand‚” a local bond trader said.
At 11:30 the benchmark R186 was trading at 6.755% from 6.690% at Monday’s close.
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Source: FIN24
Africa's Oil and Gas Outlook 2013 (part 1)
May 13, 2013--Africa' share of global oil and gas production has stood at 10% and 6% respectively over the past 24 months.
Ecobank Research estimates that the total production of crude oil in Africa in 2013 is likely to be around 8.9 million barrels per day.
Of that amount, sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) will produce around 5.9 million bpd - compared to estimates of 5.5 million bpd in 2012 - and assuming that at least 150,000 bpd of South Sudan's 350,000 bpd production returns permanently to market.
Africa also produced an estimated 230 billion cubic metres of natural gas in 2012, and this is likely to increase to around 250 bcm in 2013, with new supplies from Angola, Mozambique and Tanzania.
Up to 70 oil and gas discoveries have been made in sub-Saharan over the past 5 years, with Uganda, Mozambique and Tanzania, the greatest beneficiaries of these.
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Source: AllAfrica.com
Nigeria Economic Update: World Bank Forecasts Rising Growth, Less Inflation, Urges Closer Federal and State Government Cooperation
May 13, 2013-- Nigeria's short term macroeconomic outlook looks generally strong, with the likelihood of higher growth, lower inflation, and reserve accumulation. This will present the Government with an opportunity to make progress in key reforms and public investments associated with the Transformation Agenda for job creation, diversification, and more effective governance, says the World Bank in its new Nigeria Economic Report (NER) launched today in Abuja.
Sounding a cautionary note, however, the NER says that Nigeria's economic growth has not automatically translated into better economic and social welfare for Nigerians. As the NER notes, "poverty reduction and job creation have not kept pace with population growth, implying social distress for an increasing number of Nigerians"
view the World Bank Nigeria Economic Report
Source: World Bank
JSE edges up in volatile trade
May 13, 2013--Industrials and gold shares helped to counter broadly negative sentiment in the platinum sector to keep the all share index in positive territory at noon on Monday.
At 12:18‚ the JSE All Share index had edged up 0.13% to 40 285.82 points‚ led by a 0.48% gain in industrials‚ while the platinum index gave up 1.67%‚ weighed mainly by continuing losses in Anglo Platinum [JSE:AMS] (Amplats) and Impala Platinum [JSE:IMP] since last Friday.
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Source: FIN24
Bonds softer on weaker rand
May 13, 2013-South African bonds were softer at noon on Monday due to a slightly weaker rand.
“The currency was weaker this morning‚ but has come back slightly‚ but bonds are still softer from Friday’s closing levels‚” a local trader said.
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Source: FIN24
Rand weaker on fundamentals
May 13, 2013--The rand was a touch weaker on Monday afternoon as renewed concerns over domestic labour dynamics and SA's current account deficit weighed on the local currency.
“Today has been quiet with nothing specific to move the rand but underlying issues such as the current account deficit and job losses seem to be coming to the fore again‚” said Ockert van Niekerk‚ head of trading at PSG..
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Source: FIN24
