Mining Prospectus: Year in Review 2016
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South Africa’s banks buoyed by growth forecastsOBGplus
In a move that bucked broader trends on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), South Africa’s banks saw their share prices jump in 2016, underpinned by a recovery in the commodities market, higher interest earnings and a vote of confidence from ratings agencies. Standard Bank, Nedbank, Capitec and FirstRand all featured in the list of the top-10 performers on the exchange, gaining between…
South Africa Year in Review 2016OBGplus
South Africa’s economy faced another challenging year in 2016, as soft commodity prices, slow domestic demand and an uncertain political outlook combined to limit growth, with prospects for the coming year expected to be only somewhat more positive. Possible downgrade Allegations of mismanagement by President Jacob Zuma and uncertainty over economic policy continued to impact growth through 2016,…
Footfall swings toward smaller outlets in South Africa’s retail sectorOBGplus
Growth in trading density – a measure of turnover per sq metre of retail space – for South Africa’s larger malls has lagged behind that of smaller shopping centres, in part a reflection of the country’s slowing economy and the rapid increase in the number of dedicated retail properties. Market trends A recent index by South Africa’s Investment Property Databank (IPD), a subsidiary of US-based…
South African retailers look to year-end bounceOBGplus
Sales growth in South Africa’s retail sector has cooled, a result of a slow economy and conservative consumer sentiment, but there is cause for cautious optimism as the approach of summer and Christmas is likely to give the sector a lift. The pace of retail sales growth eased in July, according to data released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) in mid-September, rising just 0.8% year-on-year…
Manufacturing helped South Africa’s economy avoid recessionOBGplus
Stronger performance in the manufacturing industry helped keep South Africa’s economy out of a recession, and has led to a slight upward revision in annual growth forecasts. Increased manufacturing output Production in South Africa’s manufacturing industry was up 4.7% year-on-year (y-o-y) in June – marking the third consecutive month that annualised production figures increased, according to…
Leaner times for South African insurersOBGplus
A cooling economy and reduced spending is expected to limit growth in South Africa’s insurance industry through to the end of the year, with operators likely to struggle to increase market share and maintain revenue levels. Downturn in premiums South Africa is by far the largest regional insurance market, accounting for nearly 80% ofall premiums in sub-Saharan Africa, and an insurance penetration…
South Africa’s agricultural sector looks to regrowthOBGplus
Drought continues to impact agricultural production in South Africa, though seasonal rains should underpin a sector rebound along with government efforts to stimulate the agro-processing segment. South Africa’s agricultural sector shrank in the first quarter of the year, with output contracting 6.5%, as a result of decreased production of field crops and horticultural products, according to data…
Infrastructure Africa
We invite you to join us at this year's most important infrastructure event – Infrastructure Africa 2016. It takes place from the 9 – 10 June 2016, at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, and brings together leading infrastructure experts from across the continent. The 5thth annual event, partnered with the African Development Bank and NEPAD, is the forum for infrastructure development…
South Africa’s push for renewablesOBGplus
Already the continent’s largest producer of renewable energy, South Africa is moving to further reduce its reliance on hydrocarbons by expanding private sector investments in solar and wind projects, and introducing biofuels. Under the Renewable Energy Power Producer’s Programme launched in 2011, the contribution of independent power producers (IPPs) to generation is expected to reach approximately…
