<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="720" height="439" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/rand-Dec.avif" alt="" class="wp-image-568249"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">South African Rand coins are seen in this illustration picture taken October 28, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings/Illustration/File Photo</figcaption></figure>



JOHANNESBURG, Jan 30 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;South Africa&#8217;s rand was little changed early on Thursday ahead of an interest rate decision by the South African Reserve Bank.



At 0650 GMT, the rand traded at 18.5675 against the dollar, near its previous close of 18.5750.



The dollar was also little changed as markets digested the Federal Reserve&#8217;s decision to hold interest rates steady on Wednesday.



The SARB will announce its first interest rate decision for the year later on Thursday, when it is expected to cut rates by 25 basis points to 7.50% according to economists polled by Reuters.



&#8220;Markets expect a 25bp cut, but recent financial market volatility, a strong ZAR, and Trump-related risks could push the SARB to hold,&#8221; said Andre Cilliers, currency strategist at TreasuryONE.



Local investors will also be looking at the December budget balance reading and producer inflation data, which could give clues on the health of Africa&#8217;s most industrialised economy.



South Africa&#8217;s benchmark 2030 government bond was stronger in early deals, with the yield down 1.5 basis points to 8.955%.



(Reporting by Sfundo Parakozov, Editing by Bhargav Acharya and Kate Mayberry)

rand Dec

South African rand stable ahead of rate decision

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="612" height="408" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/istockphoto-1076949610-612x612-1-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-573311" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/istockphoto-1076949610-612x612-1-2.jpg 612w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/istockphoto-1076949610-612x612-1-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/istockphoto-1076949610-612x612-1-2-135x90.jpg 135w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 612px) 100vw, 612px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-economic-events">ECONOMIC EVENTS</h2>



South African December money supply data



South Africa December budget balance data



South Africa December producer inflation figures



South African central bank interest rate announcement



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-companies">COMPANIES</h2>



Energy regulator Nersa&#8217;s decision on Eskom&#8217;s electricity tariffs



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-south-african-markets">SOUTH AFRICAN MARKETS</h2>



South Africa&#8217;s rand was unchanged on Wednesday ahead of an interest rate decision by the U.S. Federal Reserve.



On the stock market, the Top-40 was last up about 1%. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-markets">GLOBAL MARKETS</h2>



Asian share markets were mixed in thin trading on Thursday as much of the region was on holiday for the Lunar New Year, while the U.S. dollar trod water after the Federal Reserve signalled a pause in policy easing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wall-street">WALL STREET</h2>



U.S. stocks ended lower on Wednesday, but off their lows of the day, with the Federal Reserve holding interest rates steady as expected and Fed Chair Jerome Powell offering soothing comments for investors. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gold">GOLD</h2>



Gold traded in a relatively narrow price range on Thursday as investors focused on U.S. President Donald Trump&#8217;s tariff plans and a key inflation report for monetary policy cues. 



&#8211; &#8211; &#8211; &#8211;



Some of the main stories out in the South African press:



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-business-day">BUSINESS DAY</h2>



&#8211; Auditor-general slams Eskom’s continued lack of governance



&#8211; RMB winds down debt sponsor business



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fin-24">FIN 24</h2>



&#8211; Musk&#8217;s SpaceX says SA&#8217;s BEE rules are a big barrier



(Compiled by Sfundo Parakozov)

istockphoto-1076949610-612×612-1-2

South African Markets – Factors to watch on Jan 30

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="5000" height="3109" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/JJTN6U4RXVOGBC6M5G6ATJZLDY.avif" alt="" class="wp-image-579747"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A shopper walks to a Woolworths store in Johannesburg, South Africa, March 2, 2022. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo</figcaption></figure>



JOHANNESBURG, Jan 28 (Reuters) &#8211; South African upmarket retailer Woolworths Holdings warned of a decline of up to 27% in its first-half profit on Tuesday due to weaker-than-expected performances in its clothing businesses at home and in Australia and New Zealand.



The company, which also owns food stores in South Africa, said its headline earnings per share were expected to decline by 22% to 27% for the 26 weeks ended Dec. 29 from 203.3 cents in the prior period ended Dec. 24, 2023.



By 0721 GMT, shares in Woolworths were down 2.74% at 56.88 rand.



Group turnover and concession sales for the period rose by 5.7%, and in constant currency by 6.2%, buoyed by the retailer&#8217;s food business, which it said delivered market-leading sales growth of 11.4% and 7.3% on a comparable-store basis.



However, group sales growth for the last eight weeks of the period, particularly over Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the festive season, eased to 4.3%, partly due to a shift in the trading calendar for the period versus the prior period, Woolworths said.



Growth in its food business was &#8220;driven by positive underlying volume growth from improved availability, ongoing innovation, and our enhanced value proposition&#8221;, the retailer said.



Fashion, beauty and home sales in South Africa rose by 2.5%, with sales growth in the last eight weeks constrained to 0.9%.



This was impacted in part by temporary delays in product flow arising from late supplier deliveries, as well as processes and system changes in its distribution centre related to its value chain.



In Australia and New Zealand, where it owns the Country Road fashion chain and where the clothing trading environment remains heavily promotional, driven by price-sensitive consumers, sales declined by 6.2%. However, in the last eight weeks of the period, the decline slowed to a 2.7% fall.



Both fashion businesses in the two markets are undergoing significant transformation, with Country Road reconfiguring its operating model following the sale of and separation from David Jones.



(Reporting by Nqobile Dludla; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)

JJTN6U4RXVOGBC6M5G6ATJZLDY

S.Africa’s Woolworths flags lower half-year profit on weak clothing sales

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1080" height="695" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Z5PBDCODG5PA5OPNKZ5BGEW7TA.avif" alt="" class="wp-image-579730"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Shoppers leave the Shoprite store in Daveyton, South Africa May 23, 2018. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo</figcaption></figure>



JOHANNESBURG, Jan 28 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;Shoprite Holdings&nbsp;SHPJ.J, South Africa&#8217;s biggest supermarket retailer, said on Tuesday its half-year sales from continuing operations grew by 9.6%, as both upmarket and discount customers stocked up on food during the festive season.



Shoprite, with more than 2,700 stores excluding OK Franchise across 10 countries, said sales in the six-month period ended Dec. 29 came in at 128.6 billion rand ($6.84 billion).



The group&#8217;s core business, Supermarkets South Africa, contributing 83.7% to group sales, achieved sales growth of 10.4%, with like-for-like sales growth of 6.1%.



Shoprite&#8217;s rest of Africa supermarkets business, which operates in nine countries, saw a 4.1% increase in sales.



In the three-month quarter ended December, which included the Christmas and Black Friday period, Shoprite saw sales grow by 8.7%.



($1 = 18.8013 rand)



(Reporting by Nqobile Dludla; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Sherry Jacob-Phillips)

Z5PBDCODG5PA5OPNKZ5BGEW7TA

S.African retailer Shoprite posts half-year sales growth on festive demand

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="5000" height="3031" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/73EXY37Q6NO7LAJCPMU3KDMKFY.avif" alt="" class="wp-image-579711"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Boxes of Jungle Oats, one of South Africa&#8217;s Tiger Brands original products, are displayed on a shelf at a Pick n Pay store in Johannesburg, South Africa, March 29, 2022. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo </figcaption></figure>



Jan 28 (Reuters) &#8211; Tiger Brands, South Africa&#8217;s biggest food producer, said on Tuesday it would sell its 24.4% stake in food producer Empresas Carozzi back to Chilean parent Carozzi for $240 million to focus on its domestic business.



Tiger Brands is in the middle of a turnaround plan that includes adjusting its product pricing, cutting costs and reducing the number of brands and products it sells.



Carozzi, a more-than-125-year-old company that sells everything from sauces and dressings to powdered beverages and pet foods, already owns 75.6% of Empresas Carozzi.



Tiger Brands bought the stake in Empresas Carozzi in 1999 to expand its presence in Latin America.



Due to its new strategy to grow business at home, further expansion into Latin America was &#8220;no longer a strategic priority,&#8221; the South African company said in a statement.



It said it would invest proceeds of the stake sale into its core business and any excess cash will be returned to shareholders through share buybacks or special dividends.



(Reporting by Shashwat Awasthi; Editing by Savio D&#8217;Souza)

73EXY37Q6NO7LAJCPMU3KDMKFY

SA’s Tiger Brands to sell Empresas Carozzi stake for $240 mln, focus at home

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="720" height="439" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/rand-Dec.avif" alt="" class="wp-image-568249"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">South African Rand coins are seen in this illustration picture taken October 28, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings/Illustration/File Photo</figcaption></figure>



JOHANNESBURG, Jan 27 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;South Africa&#8217;s rand slipped on Monday, ahead of a week packed with domestic and international data releases, with eyes set on interest rate decisions from the Federal Reserve and the South African Reserve Bank (SARB).



At 0657 GMT, the rand traded at 18.50 against the dollar, about 0.5% weaker than its previous close.



The dollar last traded about 0.1% stronger against a basket of currencies as traders pondered the ramifications of U.S. President Donald Trump&#8217;s tariff plans.



Global investor focus will be on the Fed this week, which will conclude its two-day meeting on Wednesday. It is widely expected to hold interest rates steady.



Domestic investors will then shift their attention towards the SARB&#8217;s first interest rate decision for 2025 on Thursday. Economists polled by Reuters estimate a 25 basis point cut to 7.50%.



&#8220;Despite soft inflation, uncertainties around fiscal policy, Eskom tariff hikes, and Trump&#8217;s global economic stance could push the SARB to adopt a cautious approach,&#8221; said Andre Cilliers, currency strategist at TreasuryONE.



South Africa&#8217;s benchmark 2030 government bond was weaker in early deals, with the yield up 6.5 basis points to 9.045%.



(Reporting by Sfundo Parakozov; Editing by Bhargav Acharya and Rashmi Aich)

South African rand weakens ahead of data-filled week

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="3635" height="2633" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/VBIWQECG2BIYTB5AT2YWGLXVKE.avif" alt="" class="wp-image-578255"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">One of the rail-mounted stacker reclaimers that scoop up and transfer coal into and out of the yard is seen at Africa&#8217;s largest coal export facility, the Richards Bay Coal Terminal, Richards Bay harbour, South Africa, June 21, 2018. REUTERS/Tanisha Heiberg/File Photo</figcaption></figure>



Jan 24 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;Coal exports from South Africa&#8217;s Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) rose 10% to 52.08 million metric tons in 2024, the highest in three years, amid signs of improving freight rail performance.



South Africa&#8217;s coal shipments have declined from 76 million tons in 2017, mainly due to state-owned freight rail and port operator Transnet&#8217;s lack of capacity to haul commodities to export markets.



Coal exports through RBCT, South Africa&#8217;s main coal export terminal, fell to 47.21 million tons in 2023, the lowest since 1992.



Transnet&#8217;s struggles are blamed on a lack of locomotives and spares, as well as cable theft and vandalism of its infrastructure. This has forced some minerals exporters to resort to trucking to port, with some commodity cargo now going through Mozambique.



However, some major coal exporters, including Thungela Resources and Exxaro Resources, said they noted improved freight rail performance during the second half of 2024.



RBCT said in a performance update on Friday that 6,342 trains were offloaded at the terminal in 2024, up from 5,820 the year before. The average number of trains also edged up to 17 per day in 2024, from 16 the previous year.



In 2024, Asia&#8217;s share of South Africa&#8217;s coal exports increased to 43.99 million tons, or 84.5% of the total, up from 37.1 million the previous year. India accounted for 25.75 million tons of the exports, while Pakistan imported 2.37 million tons.



Shipments to Europe, which surged to 14.3 million tons in 2022 after the European Union banned coal from Russia following the invasion of Ukraine, further declined to 3.54 million tons last year, after falling to 6.8 million tons in 2023.



(Reporting by Nelson Banya; Editing by Mark Potter)

VBIWQECG2BIYTB5AT2YWGLXVKE

S.Africa’s Richards Bay exports up 10% in 2024 amid rail improvement

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="461" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1x-1-2-820x461.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-400641" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1x-1-2-820x461.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1x-1-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1x-1-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1x-1-2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1x-1-2-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A collection of mixed denomination South African rand coins sit in an arranged photo in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Thursday, June 22, 2017. South Africas inflation rate rose for the first time this year in May after food-price growth quickened from the slowest pace since December 2015. Photographer: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



JOHANNESBURG, Jan 24 (Reuters) &#8211; South Africa&#8217;s rand firmed on Friday against a weaker dollar after U.S. President Donald Trump demanded lower interest rates from the Federal Reserve, driving down Treasury yields.



At 0848 GMT, the rand traded at 18.35 against the U.S. dollar, about 1% stronger than its previous close. The greenback last traded about 0.6% weaker against a basket of currencies.



Data out of the world&#8217;s biggest economy on Thursday showed a rise in weekly jobless claims, while Trump, speaking virtually at the World Economic Forum meeting at Davos, said he would demand lower interest rates.



The&nbsp;jobless claims and Trump&#8217;s remarks&nbsp;led to a revision of U.S. rate cut expectations and drove&nbsp;U.S. Treasury yields lower on Friday, ETM Analytics said in a research note.



&#8220;In turn, the dollar has come under renewed pressure, with the rand taking advantage as it trades to its strongest levels since before Christmas. Whether the rand bulls can sustain this momentum into the weekend remains to be seen.&#8221;



But analysts said that although dollar weakness supports the local currency, tariff risks posed by Trump and a fragile global sentiment could limit further gains.



Next week, domestically focused investors will look to the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) when it announces its first interest rate decision for 2025 on Jan. 30.



&#8220;With the SARB, Fed and (European Central Bank) meetings ahead, central bank guidance will heavily influence (foreign exchange) and bond markets,&#8221; said Andre Cilliers, currency strategist at TreasuryONE.



South Africa&#8217;s benchmark 2030 government bond was stronger, with the yield down 8 basis points to 8.975%.



On the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the blue-chip Top-40 index last traded up more than 1%.



(Reporting by Tannur Anders; additional reporting by Sfundo Parakozov; editing by Rashmi Aich and Mark Heinrich)

South African Economy As Inflation Rate Rises For First Time In 2017

South African rand rallies against weaker dollar, US Fed rates in focus

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="576" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/LA24V6GG4VKUROZCEGVVO63DKQ-820x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-424954" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/LA24V6GG4VKUROZCEGVVO63DKQ-820x576.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/LA24V6GG4VKUROZCEGVVO63DKQ-300x211.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/LA24V6GG4VKUROZCEGVVO63DKQ-128x90.jpg 128w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/LA24V6GG4VKUROZCEGVVO63DKQ-768x540.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/LA24V6GG4VKUROZCEGVVO63DKQ-1536x1079.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/LA24V6GG4VKUROZCEGVVO63DKQ-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A street money changer counts South African Rands in Harare, Zimbabwe, file. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo/File Photo</figcaption></figure>



JOHANNESBURG, Jan 21 (Reuters) &#8211; South Africa&#8217;s rand retreated early on Tuesday against a buoyant dollar after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a flurry of policy changes following his Monday inauguration.



At 0712 GMT, the rand traded at 18.6150 against the U.S. dollar, about 0.6% weaker than its previous close. It gained about 1% on Monday ahead of Trump&#8217;s swearing in.



The dollar last traded about 0.4% stronger against a basket of currencies.



Trump did not take immediate action to raise tariffs, a focus for global markets, but said the world&#8217;s biggest economy could impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico in the near future.



&#8220;I think we need to wait until Trump&#8217;s government is fully installed before decisions come on tariffs,&#8221; said Adam Phillips, treasury specialist at Umkhulu Treasury.



Like other risk-sensitive currencies, the rand often takes direction from global drivers like U.S. fiscal policy in addition to local factors.



Domestically focused investors will on Tuesday look to November mining production data expected at 0930 GMT and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa&#8217;s address to the World Economic Forum later in the day.



On the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the blue-chip Top-40 index last traded about 0.1% down.



South Africa&#8217;s benchmark 2030 government bond was stronger, with the yield down 2.5 basis points to 9.145%.



(Reporting by Tannur Anders: Editing by Neil Fullick)

FILE PHOTO: A street money changer counts South African Rands in Harare

South African rand retreats against sturdy dollar after Trump swearing in

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="728" height="487" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/rand2-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-568119" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/rand2-1.jpg 728w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/rand2-1-300x201.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/rand2-1-135x90.jpg 135w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">South African bank notes featuring an image of former South African President Nelson Mandela are displayed at an office in Johannesburg, File. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko</figcaption></figure>



JOHANNESBURG, Jan 17 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;South Africa&#8217;s rand strengthened in cautious trade on Friday, as investor focus shifted towards U.S. President-elect Donald Trump&#8217;s inauguration on Monday.



At 0808 GMT, the rand traded at 18.755 against the dollar, about 0.4% stronger than its previous close.



&#8220;Trump&#8217;s policies and U.S. Treasury movements will dominate sentiment in the short term, with limited market activity expected until after his inauguration,&#8221; said Andre Cilliers, currency strategist at TreasuryONE.



A sturdy labour market, sticky inflation and uncertainty over the potential impact of Trump&#8217;s tariffs and tax plans have led the U.S. Federal Reserve to project two interest rate cuts this year.



However, Fed Governor Christopher Waller said on Thursday three or four rate cuts are still possible if economic data weakens further.



On the stock market, South Africa&#8217;s Top-40 index was up about 0.6%.



Its benchmark 2030 government bond also strengthened, with the yield down 5.5 basis points to 9.15%.



(Reporting by Sfundo Parakozov. Editing by Bhargav Acharya and Mark Potter)

rand2 (1)

South African rand firms ahead of Trump inauguration

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="547" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IQMT7SFA2RNQLAQHUEOA2VEMMQ-820x547.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-423556" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IQMT7SFA2RNQLAQHUEOA2VEMMQ-820x547.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IQMT7SFA2RNQLAQHUEOA2VEMMQ-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IQMT7SFA2RNQLAQHUEOA2VEMMQ-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IQMT7SFA2RNQLAQHUEOA2VEMMQ-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IQMT7SFA2RNQLAQHUEOA2VEMMQ-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IQMT7SFA2RNQLAQHUEOA2VEMMQ-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Illustration photo shows a two-rand coin above a South African flag April 12, 2017. REUTERS/Thomas White/Illustration</figcaption></figure>



JOHANNESBURG, Jan 15 (Reuters) &#8211; South African assets gained on Wednesday, after a key U.S. inflation report showed consumer prices rose slightly more than expected last month in the world&#8217;s biggest economy.



At 1449 GMT, the rand traded at 18.7550 against the U.S. dollar, about 1% firmer than its previous close.



The dollar last traded about 0.45% weaker against a basket of currencies.



The U.S. consumer price index rose 0.4% last month while economists polled by Reuters had forecast the CPI gaining 0.3%. In the 12 months through December, the CPI advanced 2.9%, in line with expectations.



As markets remain wary of incoming U.S. President Donald Trump&#8217;s policies on tariffs, the latest data points to still elevated inflation, strengthening the case for the Federal Reserve&#8217;s cautious stance on interest rates.



&#8220;Volatility is expected to persist&#8230; with the rand&#8217;s value largely influenced by external factors such as U.S. trade and monetary policies,&#8221; said Zain Vawda, market analyst at MarketPulse by OANDA.



On the stock market, the blue-chip Top-40 index was last up about 1.9%.



South Africa&#8217;s benchmark 2030 government bond was also stronger, with the yield down 13 basis points at 9.175%. 



(Reporting by Bhargav Acharya and Tannur Anders; Editing by Frances Kerry and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)

Illustration photo of South African rand

South African rand, stocks surge after US consumer inflation data

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="566" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/CPZWR5HQKJL7PCMFS7ZRBGYOBE-820x566.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-575299" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/CPZWR5HQKJL7PCMFS7ZRBGYOBE-820x566.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/CPZWR5HQKJL7PCMFS7ZRBGYOBE-300x207.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/CPZWR5HQKJL7PCMFS7ZRBGYOBE-130x90.jpg 130w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/CPZWR5HQKJL7PCMFS7ZRBGYOBE-768x530.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/CPZWR5HQKJL7PCMFS7ZRBGYOBE-1536x1060.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/CPZWR5HQKJL7PCMFS7ZRBGYOBE-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Delivery bikes ride along a waterlogged road on the beach front, after heavy rains, in Durban, South Africa, May 22, 2022. REUTERS/Rogan Ward</figcaption></figure>



JOHANNESBURG, Jan 15 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;South Africa has temporarily closed a key border crossing with Botswana due to heavy rainfall and flooding, the country&#8217;s border authority said.



The Grobler&#8217;s Bridge crossing in northern South Africa is used for trade, especially by miners in the Copperbelt region straddling Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo moving cargo to the port of Durban.



&#8220;Following consultations with our Botswana counterparts and thorough deliberation by the Port Management Committee, it has been decided that the temporary suspension of operations is necessary to prioritise safety,&#8221; the Border Management Authority said in a statement.



The agency urged travellers and truck operators to use alternative routes.



The crossing links Botswana with South Africa&#8217;s northern Limpopo province, which witnessed heavy rainfall last weekend.



(Reporting by Bhargav Acharya; Editing by Alexander Winning and Angus MacSwan)

Delivery bikes ride along a waterlogged road on the beach front after heavy rains, in Durban

Rains force South Africa to close border crossing with Botswana

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="547" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1161864863-820x547.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-505639" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1161864863-820x547.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1161864863-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1161864863-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1161864863-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1161864863-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1161864863-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A South African one rand coin sits on South African rand banknotes in this arranged photograph in Pretoria, South Africa, on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019. The rand ended a tumultuous week on a positive note, gaining against the dollar for a second day and heading for its first weekly advance in four as technical indicators suggested recent declines are overdone. Photographer: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



JOHANNESBURG, Jan 13 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;South Africa&#8217;s rand hovered near a nine-month low early on Monday against a buoyant dollar, amid an uncertain outlook for further interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.



At 0721 GMT, the rand traded at 19.1525 against the dollar, about 0.3% softer than its previous close. It hit 19.2050 per dollar on Friday, its weakest level since late April.



The dollar was last trading about 0.21% stronger against a basket of currencies, after surging to its highest in over two years at the expense of emerging market currencies such as the rand.



Data on Friday showed U.S. job growth unexpectedly accelerated in December while the unemployment rate fell, underscoring the strength of the world&#8217;s largest economy and leaving traders heavily scaling back bets of Fed rate cuts in 2025.



On the stock market, the Top-40 index was down about 1%.



South Africa&#8217;s benchmark 2030 government bond was weaker, with the yield up 5.5 basis points to 9.32%.



(Reporting by Bhargav Acharya; Editing by Alison Williams)

South African Rand Rebound Snaps Streak of Weekly Losses

South African rand hovers near 9-month low against buoyant dollar

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="640" height="428" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/https___cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com_reuters_XITIO74YJBM5XNTYYV6EQSSGSY.avif" alt="" class="wp-image-573601"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">South African bank notes featuring an image of former South African President Nelson Mandela are displayed at an office in Johannesburg, File. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko</figcaption></figure>



JOHANNESBURG, Jan 9 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;The following scheduled economic events, equity and currency market moves may affect South African markets on Thursday.



ECONOMIC EVENTS



November manufacturing output&nbsp;ZAMAN=ECI



SOUTH AFRICAN MARKETS



South Africa&#8217;s rand weakened as a buoyant dollar and disappointing domestic economic data releases weighed on the local currency on Wednesday.



On the stock market, the Top-40&nbsp;.JTOPI&nbsp;index closed about 1.12% lower.&nbsp;.JZAR/



GLOBAL MARKETS



The global bond rout that has pressured equities and boosted the safe-haven U.S. dollar showed signs of slowing on Thursday, even as Japanese yields edged to new multi-year highs.MKTS/GLOB



WALL STREET



U.S. stocks ended little changed on Wednesday in a session they struggled for a clear direction, as investors digested the impact of two conflicting sets of jobs data and a report that said President-elect Donald Trump was mulling a national economic emergency declaration on inflation.&nbsp;.N



GOLD



Gold prices retreated on Thursday on profit-booking after hitting a near four-week peak in the last session, while focus shifted to jobs report due on Friday for clarity on the Federal Reserve&#8217;s 2025 interest rate path.&nbsp;GOL/



&#8211; &#8211; &#8211; &#8211;



Some of the main stories out in the South African press:



BUSINESS DAY



&#8211; JSE weaker as investors assess US jobs reports



&#8211; Coca-Cola keeps JSE and investors thirsty over mega listing



FIN 24



&#8211; Prosus says it still has appetite for risk, even as it looks to close its biggest deal in years



(Compiled by Sfundo Parakozov)

https___cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com_reuters_XITIO74YJBM5XNTYYV6EQSSGSY

South African Markets – Factors to watch on Jan 9

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="640" height="425" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FN6SHZMGJVMXJICANZS4G326BA.avif" alt="" class="wp-image-573328"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A general view shows the Tetra Pak factory floor in Durban, South Africa, April 4, 2024. REUTERS/Rogan Ward/File photo</figcaption></figure>



JOHANNESBURG, Jan 8 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;South African manufacturing activity fell for the second month in a row in December, a local purchasing managers&#8217; index (PMI) survey showed, as demand declined.



The seasonally-adjusted PMI sponsored by South African bank Absa slipped to 46.2 points in December 2024 from 48.1 points in November, remaining below the 50-point mark that separates expansion from contraction of manufacturing output in Africa&#8217;s most industrialised economy.



&#8220;The manufacturing sector experienced a volatile 2024, with this second consecutive monthly decline in December reversing the upward momentum seen in September and October,&#8221; Absa said in a statement.



The business activity index fell 8.7 points to 40.3, and the new sales orders sub-index also fell.



&#8220;Worryingly, some respondents noted that conditions in December 2024 were worse than usually seen in December,&#8221; Absa added.



But the bank said the sub-index which measures expected business conditions in six months&#8217; time rose in December, showing that manufacturers remain positive about future business conditions.



Export sales figures fell to levels seen in the first half of 2024, while the supplier deliveries index moved above 50 points for the first time in three months.



(Reporting by Tannur Anders; Editing by Tim Cocks)

FN6SHZMGJVMXJICANZS4G326BA

South African factory sector contracts for second consecutive month in December, Absa PMI shows

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="612" height="408" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/istockphoto-1076949610-612x612-1-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-573311" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/istockphoto-1076949610-612x612-1-2.jpg 612w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/istockphoto-1076949610-612x612-1-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/istockphoto-1076949610-612x612-1-2-135x90.jpg 135w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 612px) 100vw, 612px" /></figure>



JOHANNESBURG, Jan 8 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;The following scheduled economic events, equity and currency market moves may affect South African markets on Wednesday.



ECONOMIC EVENTS



South Africa&#8217;s December reserves data



Absa manufacturing sector PMI survey



SOUTH AFRICAN MARKETS



South Africa&#8217;s rand slipped against a resurgent dollar on Tuesday, after positive U.S. data suggested the Federal Reserve would likely be cautious in cutting interest rates.



On the stock market, the Top-40&nbsp;.JTOPI&nbsp;index closed about 1% lower.&nbsp;.JZAR/



GLOBAL MARKETS



Asian stocks drifted lower on Wednesday, with a robust dollar keeping the yen pinned near six-month lows as traders wagered the Federal Reserve will likely be slow in cutting rates after data showed the U.S. economy and labour market remained stable.MKTS/GLOB



WALL STREET



U.S. stocks tumbled on Tuesday after a batch of upbeat economic data raised concerns that an inflation rebound could slow down the Federal Reserve&#8217;s pace of monetary policy easing.&nbsp;.N



GOLD



Gold prices edged lower on Wednesday, pressured by higher U.S. Treasury yields and a stronger dollar after data suggested the Federal Reserve might slow the pace of rate cuts this year.GOL/



&#8211; &#8211; &#8211; &#8211;



Some of the main stories out in the South African press:



BUSINESS DAY



&#8211; IMF says Reserve Bank is a model of transparency but must do more



&#8211; A fun year ahead for deal making



FIN 24



&#8211; Naspers group loses R225bn as US labels Tencent a &#8216;Chinese military company&#8217;



(Compiled by Sfundo Parakozov; Editing by Tannur Anders)

South African Markets – Factors to watch on Jan 8

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="640" height="390" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Z7OUSBHECZMJVEHQT7G2AZVSQU.avif" alt="" class="wp-image-573028"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">South African Rand coins are seen in this illustration picture taken October 28, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings/Illustration/File photo</figcaption></figure>



JOHANNESBURG, Jan 7 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;South Africa&#8217;s rand firmed early on Tuesday against a softer dollar on hopes for less aggressive tariffs by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump when he takes office later this month.



At 0636 GMT, the rand traded at 18.5650 against the U.S. dollar&nbsp;ZAR=D3, about 0.1% firmer than its previous close. The greenback last traded about 0.1% weaker against a basket of currencies.



The Washington Post reported on Monday that Trump aides were exploring tariff plans that would represent a marked softening from promises he had made during his 2024 presidential campaign.



While the news initially weakened the dollar, Trump&#8217;s subsequent denial reversed some of the U.S. currency&#8217;s declines.



&#8220;It helped bolster the ZAR&#8217;s performance as it staged a recovery at the start of the first full trading week of the year,&#8221; said ETM Analytics in a research note.



South Africa&#8217;s benchmark 2030 government bond&nbsp;ZAR2030=&nbsp;was slightly firmer in early deals, with the yield down 2.5 basis points to 9.005%.



(Reporting by Tannur Anders; Editing by Bernadette Baum)

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