Tag: repo rate

Chief Economists from in a variety of countries globally released the Global Economic Outlook paper this week which provides detailed insights into the global obstacles and opportunities. Surprisingly, while the pandemic may not be over, the major economies are shifting their mindset and focusing increasingly on the potential risks and rewards of a more sustainable long-term recovery and route to sustainable growth.

Despite perceiving the overall risks to CPI as on the upside, all five members of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 3.5%. The repo rate has been on this level since 23 July 2020.

The global economic landscape has undergone a seismic shift since the arrival of COVID-19 over a year ago. However, while the pandemic caused significant business challenges, it also triggered and accelerated many innovations as organisations adapted to change, often simply to survive.

All five members of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 3,5%. It has been on this level since 23 July 2020. The MPC viewed the overall risks to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) outlook to be on the upside compared to balanced in the March 2021 statement. This means the MPC’s interest rate outlook is more hawkish.

Against the backdrop of easing lockdown restrictions and a reassuring National Budget, the South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB) decision to keep the repo rate unchanged provides further impetus for more sustainable economic activity.

The South African Reserve Bank recently announced that it is holding the repo rate steady - but what does this actually mean for property owners, and why should prospective buyers care if the repo rate falls or increases?

The South African Reserve Bank’s decision to keep the repo rate unchanged at a record low of 3.5% and prime lending rate at 7% eases pressure on the ailing economy and debt burden for businesses and consumers.  This will help to support SMEs who continue to struggle financially due to the persistent impact of COVID-19, while trying to recover as quickly as possible.

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to leave the repo rate unchanged at 3.5%. Three members of the committee preferred to leave rates unchanged, while two members preferred a 25 basis point reduction to the repo rate. This serves as a guide to the expectation that rates are more likely to decline than increase under current economic conditions.

High on the agenda of Finance Minister Tito Mboweni’s supplementary budget speech on Wednesday 24 June was the need to support the economy as it gradually reopens as well as to get businesses moving again. Notably, Mboweni announced amendments to the COVID-19 guaranteed loan scheme that was introduced at the beginning of lockdown, offering some relief to struggling businesses.

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) once again unanimously voted in favour of lowering the repo rate this month, although 2 out of the 5 members preferred a shallower cut. In a vote of 3 to 2, the MPC decided to lower the repo rate by 50bp to 3.75%.