This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.
After only a few weeks as South Africa’s Finance Minister, Tito Mboweni will be delivering his first Mid-Term Budget Speech (MBTS) on Wednesday the 24th of October. The Rand, Investors, South Africans and ratings agencies are poised anxiously awaiting the outcomes. In this report we look at key areas of the budget to be addressed as well as how the USD/ZAR currency pair is lining up for traders ahead of the meeting.
Growth outlook deteriorating
A second consecutive quarter of economic contraction see’s South Africa in a technical recession, with global risk factors such as the US / China trade war posing further threats to the health of world markets. In turn the Finance Minister will need to revise his forecasts lower for domestic economic growth. Consensus estimates suggest that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for 2018/19 will be revised to around 0.6% from 1.5% previously expected.
Expenditure ceiling and Stimulus
In late September, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a new stimulus plan to help revive the South African economy. The plan requires a R50bn reprioritization of expenditure, the details of which Mr Ramaphosa said will be made available at the budget speech (MTBS). A reprioritization of the budget would suggest funding to be shuffled from existing portfolios and should have little to no impact on the actual expenditure ceiling. Which portfolios will be affected remains to be seen.
Infrastructure and the agriculture sector are expected to be primary beneficiaries of government spending in lieu of their potential to create jobs. Healthcare and education are sectors of the economy under duress and will need to be addressed as well.
Public sector wage bill which saw an above inflation increase in June will add pressure to the expenditure ceiling suggested in Februaries budget speech.
State-Owned Enterprises (SOE’s) & Government Debt
Eskom, the SABC, the South African Post Office and South African Airways (SAA) remain SOE’s under pressure providing a burden to government debt, now around 55% of GDP. Further plans to stabilize these institutions, improve their respective balance sheets are necessary to aid the South African economy and appease ratings agencies.
Ratings Agencies
Major rating’s agencies: Standards and Poor’s, Fitch and Moody’s investors relations will all be keeping a watchful eye on the MTBS. Moody’s, the last remaining rating’s agency to still have South Africa’s local currency debt at an investment grade level, will be the most necessary agency for the Finance Minister to impress. The company recently published a credit opinion report on South Africa, stating that it would look to the MTBS before releasing its next ratings review on the country. In the credit opinion report, Moody’s has highlighted that government would need to stimulate growth through policy and investment and that State-Owned Enterprises (SOE’s) would need to be stabilized to reduce the “contingent liability” to a debt burdened government.
The Rand (USD/ZAR) – Technical View
.jpg)
