In the loop
Shireen Darmalingam
What you should know this morning:
- The rand is stronger this morning, at R18.76/$, after closing stronger yesterday (R18.81/$*).
- EM currencies were mixed yesterday; the CLP (+1.3%), PLN (+1.1%) and COP (+0.9%) were the biggest gainers; the RUB (-1.5%), THB (-0.3%) and IDR (-0.2%) were the biggest losers.
- Asian equity markets are mixed this morning; the Nikkei is up, while the Hang Seng and Shanghai Composite are down.
- US PPI for August, scheduled for release today, will have been boosted by higher energy prices in August.
- PPI is likely to have increased by 1.3% y/y in August, from a 0.8% y/y increase in July.
- On a m/m basis, PPI is expected to have increased by 0.4% in August, from an increase of 0.3% m/m in July.
- Retail sales for August are also on the cards today; a moderation in consumer demand may have become apparent in August retail sales.
- Retail sales growth is expected to have moderated to 0.1% m/m in August, from 0.7% m/m in July.
- The ECB monetary policy meeting is in the limelight today.
- Consensus expectations are for the central bank to keep rates unchanged today; however, the decision is likely to be a close call.
- The ECB is expected to update its forecasts for growth and inflation at this meeting.
- The European Commission earlier this week lowered its predictions for economic expansion and said that inflation would still average more than 3% in 2024.
- Investors will keep a close eye on comments from ECB President Christine Lagarde at a press conference following the interest rate announcement.
- Locally, mining production for July is on the cards today; production is expected to have declined by 0.2% y/y, after having increased by 1.1% y/y in June.
- The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) commented yesterday that trade conditions had remained "tight and unsteady" in August.
- The trade conditions survey highlighted that more than half of the surveyed respondents are experiencing negative conditions.
- Around 57% of the respondents experienced negative trade conditions in August.
- Sales volumes, new orders, backlog on orders received, supplier deliveries, inventory level, selling prices and employment were in negative territory in August.
- There are, however, promising signs for the future; 56% of respondents are still positive about trade conditions in the coming six months.
- Eskom: Stage 6 loadshedding is currently in place and will continue until further notice.
- Brent crude oil is up this morning, and up by 7.5% year-to-date.
- The gold price is up this morning, and up by 4.7% year-to-date.
- Brent crude oil is currently at $92.38/bbl; ($91.88/bbl*).
- Gold is at $1910/oz ($1909/oz*).
- SA CDS 249bps*, Brazil 173bps* and Turkey 390bps*.
- Yields: US 10yr at 4.24%*, German bund at 2.65%* and SA 10-year generic at 11.65%*, SA’s R2030 at 10.39%*.
* Denotes yesterday’s close.
Key events and data:
- 11h30: SA mining production (July)
- 14h15: Eurozone ECB MPC interest rate decision – no rate change expected
- 14h30: US retail sales (August), initial jobless claims (9 September), PPI (August), business inventories (July)
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