Domestic
In terms of monetary policy, the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), also kept rate on hold as it remained focused on fiscal and rating downgrade risks. The weaker rand, higher oil price and the need for high real rates did not support a move for another rate cut. Ind other emerging markets, the central bank of Brazil cut the Selic rate by 50 basis points to a new all-time low of 5.5%. Similarly, the Indonesian central bank cut the benchmark rate by 25 basis points to 5.25%. This is the thrid consecutive month of policy rate reduction.
On the data front, the consumer price index (CPI) rose by more than expected in August as food prices grew at the fastest pae in more than a year. CPI inflation measured 4.3% year-on-year in August, up from the 4% measured in July and marginally higher than market expectations of 4.2%. Meanwhile, in the third quarter, the RMB/BER Business Confidence Index plunged to a 20-year low. After remaining at 28 for the first two quarters of the year, the BCI dropped to 21. Eighteen months ago, the index was at 44. The current reading indicates that eight out of 10 respondents are unsatisfied with prevaling business conditions, and that this is the lowest level of the BCI since the 1998-1999 emerging market debt crisis. Confidence collapsed in four of the five sectors making up the BCI. This was on the back of lower activity and, importantly, a downscaling of expectations for future operating conditions.
FTSE/JSE All Share Index rose marginally by 0.1% for the month. The Resources 20 Index and the Industrial 25 Index declined by -0.4 % and -0.9 respectively. The Funancial 15 Index was positive for the month, up 3.4%. The S.A Listed Property Index was up 0.3%. During September, the All Bond Index and cash both returned 0.5% for the month. On the currecncy front, the rand apprecaited 0.3% against the U.S dollar in September.