US GDP data for Q4 2024 surprises on the upside, SA’s inflation rate is falling

Loading player...
US Q4 2023 GDP data, in combination with latest core PCE data for December, shows that the economy continues to grow while inflation is falling, which is good news. In response, US equity markets rose strongly. In SA, the annual rate of inflation has dropped to 5.1%. That probably suggests to the South African Reserve Bank that high interest rates are having the desired effect, but it is likely to follow the trend set by global central banks in the timing of rate cuts.
29 Jan 2024 English South Africa Investing · Business News

Other recent episodes

US jobs data shows an economy under pressure

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, explores a wide range of data on the US labour market. The statistics show that, as a result of President Trump’s tariff policies, jobs are being lost and the economy is under pressure. In response, the US Federal Reserve is expected to…
8 Sep 8 min

Positive SA government revenue and expenditure data

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, talks about revenue and expenditure data for July, with revenue holding up well and expenditure slightly behind budget. He also discusses concerns that the US’s 30% tariff could hurt SA’s export performance. Click here to listen to the podcast. STANLIB Asset Management…
1 Sep 11 min

Corporate Conversations: The power of money market instruments

South Africa’s money market industry is well-developed and globally competitive, with active trading in instruments like floating rate notes linked to local benchmarks such as JIBAR. Although floating rate notes are common in markets such as the US and UK, South Africa’s market exhibits distinct structural features and investor preferences…
27 Aug 9 min

US signals change in emphasis on interest rate policy

In this podcast, STANLIB Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, talks about Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s recent address at the Jackson Hole Symposium, where he indicates a notable shift in the Fed’s policy emphasis from managing inflation risks to addressing emerging weaknesses in the US labour market. This could signal the…
25 Aug 13 min