ABSA: Interest Rates Are Going Up

From the M&G: Absa says it expects another rate hike

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) is expected to hike interest rates by a further 50 basis points at the end of January, Absa's economic research unit said on Wednesday.

This was in spite of retail trade sales data released earlier by Statistics South Africa showing that consumer spending continued to buckle.

According to the data released on Wednesday, retail trade sales at constant (2000) prices for November increased by 0,2% year-on-year compared with October's revised 1,9% (1,5%) increase.

This is the lowest level in 60 months, with the previous lowest being the 0% recorded in October 2002. The next worst was 0,7% in December 2002, but since then better numbers had been recorded until now.

However, in spite of this sharp drop in retail sales, Absa's economic research unit expected rates to rise.