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Sarb index shows growth on track
March 23, 2011-SA's leading economic indicator rose 5.5% year-on-year (y/y) in January from an 8.9% y/y increase in December, according to South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) data released on Wednesday.
The indicator provides a guideline for economic growth for at least six months ahead. It has shown a steady rise over the past year, indicating that SA's economic growth is on track.
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Source: FIN24
Resilient JSE gives up some gains
March 23, 2011-- The local bourse ended in positive territory with platinum, banking and industrial counters providing most of the support.
At its close, the JSE all-share index rose 0.62%, with platinum miners jumping 2.18%, industrials rising 1.41%, financials gaining 0.90% and banks picking up 1%. But resources lost 0.35% and gold counters shed 0.36%.
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Source: FIN24
JSE tests 30 000 level
March 21, 2011-Last week the JSE’s all-share index tested the important 30 000 support level.
The local market is however oversold in the short term at current levels following the sharp declines in global share markets in reaction to the Japanese earthquake and tsunami.
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Source: FIN24
JSE firmer on Japan, Libya news
March 18, 2011--The JSE stayed firmer at noon on Friday as the latest developments in Japan and Libya boosted investor confidence and lifted some uncertainty.
By 12:00 local time, the JSE all-share index was up 0.32%, with resources rising 0.62% and gold counters gaining 0.46%. But platinum miners were flat and so were industrials. Financials were up 0.26% and banks advanced 0.60%.
The rand was bid at 7.03 to the dollar from 7.04 at the JSE's close on Thursday. Gold was quoted at US$1 415.18 a troy ounce from US$1 404.19/oz at the JSE's previous close, while platinum was at $1 721.50/oz from $1 709.00/oz before.
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Source: FIN24
Bonds firm ahead of long weekend
March 18, 2011-- South African bonds were slightly firmer in late trade on Friday, mainly on the back of a stronger rand. A trader said it had been a very quiet day, without much activity. Local markets will be closed on Monday for the Human Rights Day public holiday.
By 15:50, the benchmark R157 bond was trading at 7.895% from its previous close of 7.900%, while the R207 was bid at 8.795% from its previous close of 8.795%. The R186 was bid at 8.985% from its previous close of 8.980%.
The rand was bid at 7.0228 to the dollar from its previous close of 7.0813.
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Source: FIN24
JSE achieves solid results despite challenging year
March 17, 2011--JSE Limited experienced a fair year in challenging conditions in 2010, driven by strong performances from the cash equity market, information products sales and commodity derivatives. Group revenues climbed by 9% to R1,255 million (2009: R1,156 million) in a year of focus on operational projects and responding to changes in the global exchange industry.
“The past 15 years have been a time of extraordinary development for the JSE. The diversity of revenue streams in the business reflects the fundamental nature of its transformational journey. The JSE’s ability to remain competitive in our fast changing industry has been maintained through continued growth in product range and trade volumes, as well as tight management of costs while still maintaining world class standards,” says Russell Loubser, CEO of JSE Ltd.
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Source: JSE
BRVM flees war and restarts trading from Mali
March 17, 2011--West Africa’s regional stock market the Bourse Regionale des Valeurs Mobilieres (www.brvm.org) has started trading from a new base in Bamako, Mali, after leaving Cote d’Ivoire because of the political crisis. Trading restarted in the new office on 1 March, reports Bloomberg news agency, but volumes are much lower.
The bourse suspended operations on 11 February, after security forces loyal to incumbent Cote d’Ivoire president Laurent Gbagbo seized its main offices in Abidjan to prevent it relocating. Once senior personnel were safely out, the BRVM managed to move enough of the settlement and clearing operations to start operating in the new offices. At least 10 commercial banks in Cote d’Ivoire closed and Gbagbo’s forces “nationalized” them.
Bloomberg says that it is only operating for foreign investors since most of the stockbrokers were based in Cote d’Ivoire and their offices were part of the closed banks. However stockbroker Securities Africa says that only locals can trade. Clearing and settlement would also require banks, although the BRVM has an associated regional central depository Dépositaire Central/Banque de Règlement S.A.
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Source: African Capital Markets
Panicky JSE cheers modest gains
March 17, 2011-- The JSE finished modestly higher on Thursday on a volatile day that was dominated by the futures closeout and persistent negative global developments.
"We had a volative session today and trading remained tentative," said Andrew Todd, an equity derivatives trader at Imara SP Reid.
At the close, the JSE all-share index rose 0.35%, with resources stocks gaining 0.83% and platinum miners adding 0.14%. But gold counters lost 1.90% and industrials fell 0.28%. Banks advanced 1.34% and financials were up 0.66%.
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Source: FIN24
Risk aversion weighs bonds down
March 17, 2011--- Risk aversion continued to plague the bond market by the late afternoon on Thursday, but losses were limited due to a stronger rand.
By 16:32, the benchmark R157 bond was trading at 7.895% from its previous close of 7.835%, while the R207 was bid at 8.815% from its previous close of 8.715%. The R186 was trading at 8.940% from a close of 8.925%.
The rand was bid at 7.0642 to the dollar from its previous close of 7.1711, but was off the intraday best level of 7.0157.
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Source: FIN24
Inflation Uncertainty and Relative Price Variability in WAEMU Countries
March 16, 2011-Using a consistent dataset and methodology for all eight member countries of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) from 1994 to 2009, this paper provides evidence of the two major channels for real effects of inflation: inflation uncertainty and relative price variability.
In line with theory and most evidence for advanced and emerging market economies, higher inflation increases inflation uncertainty and relative price variability in all WAEMU countries. However, the pattern, magnitude and timing of these two channels vary considerably by country. The findings raise several policy issues for future research.
view IMF Working paper-Inflation Uncertainty and Relative Price Variability in WAEMU Countries
Source: IMF
