Tag: Foreign Exchange (FX)

Despite unprecedented external headwinds, MultiChoice achieved positive operational outcomes. Most notably, currency depreciation reduced trading profit by ZAR7 billion. This impact was felt over the last 18 months. However, through active interventions, MultiChoice navigated these challenges effectively. These efforts spanned the six months ending 30 September 2024 (1H FY25).

Advanced Import Payments (AIP) are a crucial strategy for businesses seeking to enhance efficiency in their cross-border operations. In South Africa, where recent regulations have re-shaped the landscape, understanding, and leveraging AIP can yield significant advantages for international trade, integrating South Africa further into the global economy.

The financial year to 31 March 2024 (FY24) saw the culmination of four years of strategic planning, with MultiChoice Group (MultiChoice or the group) now fully operational in its three core segments, namely video entertainment, interactive entertainment and fintech.

South Africa’s major banks registered resilient growth against difficult operating conditions and a complex macroeconomic environment. Combined headline earnings growth of 13.8% against FY22 to R113.2 billion, combined ROE of 17.6% (FY22: 17.1%), net interest margin of 458 bps (FY22: 430 bps), credit loss ratio of 102 bps (FY22: 82 bps), cost-to-income ratio of 52.2% (FY22: 53%), common equity tier ratio of 13.2% (FY22: 13.5%).

The South African Rand (ZAR) is experiencing another tumultuous period. Following a robust rally last Tuesday, the Rand’s fortunes have taken a hit, with its earlier gains yielding to a more cautious market sentiment. Factors contributing to this turbulence include geo-political concerns in the Middle East, particularly Israel’s preparation for a potential offensive in Gaza, which has raised fears of energy supply disruptions and global economic repercussions.

The South African Rand has endured considerable volatility recently, attributed to a myriad of global factors including commodity price fluctuations, financial market risk perceptions, and local political uncertainty. Amid this turbulence, South African individuals and businesses engaged in trade and investment have encountered both challenges and opportunities.

South Africa will always be facing change and challenges. There is a positive change from the point of view of business and leisure travel returning to normal and being less challenging and our foreign trade from both an import and export perspective is active and buoyant. On the negative side though we still face much internal political conflict, unrest and of course the inconvenience of load shedding, which is quite crippling for some businesses.