This site requires JavaScript to be enabled. Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings, or upgrade to a modern browser.

RMB/BER BUSINESS CONFIDENCE INDEX STUCK AT A LOW LEVEL

Loading player...

GUEST – Siobhan Redford, an economist at Rand Merchant Bank

Following a two-point decline in the fourth quarter of 2023, the RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) ticked down by another point to reach 30 in the first quarter of 2024. This means that seven out of ten survey respondents are unsatisfied with prevailing business conditions. Taking a slightly longer perspective shows a concerning picture as less than four out of ten survey respondents were satisfied with prevailing business conditions for seven consecutive quarters. Business confidence was, again, largely unchanged among building contractors and wholesalers. Declines in sentiment in the retail and manufacturing sectors outweighed a ten-point improvement among new vehicle dealers.

6 Mar 2024 3PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

SA Homeowner growth steady, report finds

Hayley Ivins-Downes from Lightstone Property shares data about home-buying activity in South Africa, which paints an interesting picture about affordability and which specific parts of the country are seeing the most development.

27 Mar 5AM 11 min

INSIDE YOUR POCKET – South Africa’s consumer credit market steady

Data from TransUnion shows that South African credit usage has shown tentative recovery to a more broad-based recovery, with first-time buyers now accounting for just over half of financed purchases. Ayeshaa Hatea, from TransUnion South Africa, explains these findings and more.

27 Mar 5AM 11 min

Pivot Point - Building Africa’s Vaccine Sovereignty

Today on Pivot Point, we spotlight a leader whose work sits at the intersection of science, industrialization, and national security. Dr. Morena Makhoana, the CEO of Biovac, has spent two decades shaping South Africa’s vaccine manufacturing landscape and unpacks that journey.

27 Mar 5AM 25 min

South Africa’s Central Bank Holds Rates, on Rising Inflation Concerns

The South African Reserve Bank’s monetary policy committee earlier decided – in a unanimous decision – to keep rates unchanged at 6.75%. To discuss the implications for local consumers, we’re joined by Tshiamo Masike, Economist, Momentum Investments

27 Mar 5AM 34 min

Africa’s Trade Links Strengthen; Future Geopolitical Risks Loom

Data from Standard Bank signalled significant growth in intra-African trade in the past year, showing positive moment towards the continent achieving a successful AfCFTA. However, that picture could be complicated by recent tensions in the Middle East. For more on this let’s listen in to, Philip Myburgh, Head: Trade for…

25 Mar 4PM 12 min

All episodes