Another week, another win for the local currency, as the Rand turned the tables on the Dollar.
A most unusual few days one has to say, as the Dollar actually recovered as a whole against the majors - but the Rand did not follow suit, driving home it's advantage towards R14 to the USD.
We had some good local economic data to drive the news, but it was really a waiting game as we watched for the next breakout.
With the Rand, you know that volatility is never far away...
Let's get into the full review as we watch with anticipation as to the Rand's movements this week!
Here were the biggest talking points form the 5 days:
- SA GDP - with all eyes on how economies are faring following the disastrous 2020 economic year, GDP has been the biggest talking point for every nation. This week, it was time for SA's figures
- Dollar Recovery - the Dollar has had a rough time since March last year, but has been gaining momentum again in recent months...will it last?
- Jobless Claims - US Jobless claims have been all over the place, and once again they surprised with a variance from the analysts expectations.
- Stocks - despite all time highs, the stock markets remain shaky as investors uncertainty continued
So to begin with the local unit, we opened around R14.25 to the Dollar.
Following the horrific US Jobs report, many were hoping for the ZAR to further push home it's advantage and head lower toward R14 - while exporters were anxiously looking for a turnaround.
But what we saw from the Dollar was quite a different story - as the chief reserve currency actually strengthened against the basket of currencies, as the Dollar Index moved back upward of 92 points, and toward 93.
This Dollar Index is really an overall measurement of Dollar strength - and a key indicator as to what the coming years hold for the staple world currency. We actually provide predictions on this over on our sister platform, Dynamic Forex Solutions over here. If you have exposure to Dollar in your investment decisions, this could be of interest to you.
But to get back to the Rand, the interesting thing about this week was that we saw the Dollar Index make up ground - and yet the Rand continue to push stronger.
It was not a week of massive swings in currency value, but still we saw the Rand moving ever closer toward that R14 level, eventually hitting R14.05 on Friday afternoon!
Yet through the week, what we saw was the Dollar gaining ground against the basket of currencies.
It was a strange thing to see - but confirmation that the Rand actually had some strength of it's own, and was it's own animal, not just moving with the tide but fighting against it...
There were some triggers locally that were involved with this, such as SA's GDP coming in better than expected at a 1.2% gain in Q2. This followed a revised 1.0% rise in Q1, meaning SA was sitting 2.2% in the green during 2021 - not nearly the growth required after the losses, but better than being in the red, following more government lockdowns through the year.
And then there was the current account, which came in with the biggest surplus ever on record, at R343 billion for the second quarter! According to the Reserve Bank, merchandise exports increased to a "new all-time high" during the second quarter. Merchandise includes agriculture, mining and manufacturing exports. Imports increased by 3.4%, its second highest level since the second quarter of 2019.
A most interest turn of events, one would have to say!
And the Rand loved it:
And then we had in other news:
- Over in the US, after the poor jobs report, all eyes were on the jobless claims to see if there was anything impressive. And impress they did, as they came in at 310,000 - which while still higher than most would like, it was the lowest level we have seen since the pandemic slide began. This is good news, a sign that the labor market is starting to slowly return to more of a stable situation - but it it is worth mentioning that continuing claims sat at 2.78 million persons...and this stops anyone from having a hint of complacency that everything is just fine.
- Also worrying was the way the stock markets continued to wobble and hover around all-time highs, but with investors more and more uncertain as to what the future holds. The Dow Jones went 5 straight days of losses through the week, and while the losses were not massive, the momentum of the pendulum is a little uncertain right now - and if you zoom out to the long term perspective, a significant correction is very much overdue...
- And then there was more good local news with things looking set for a return to lockdown level 2, from the current level 3. Every change brings a few more freedoms and opportunity for economic growth, and is welcomed by all! The stop-starts of lockdowns have been impossibly disruptive, and all that lingers with SA heading toward normality again, is that "will this be the last time?" The way things have gone previously, you certainly wouldn't bet on it… For now, it looks like a return to larger gatherings, which has a large impact on the upcoming local elections in just a couple of months!
And to get back to the local unit, now the best performing emerging currency market in 2021, we saw the eventual end of SA trade around R14.15/$.
A week where the local unit dominated and gained some ground once again...
...but what do the next few days hold?
The Week Ahead (13-17 September 2021) |
As we look to the week ahead, there are a few events to keep an eye on as we look for triggers, but overall it should be a quieter few days until we approach end of the month economic events.
Here is the few events we are watching this week:
- SA - Retail Sales
- US - Inflation Rate, Retail Sales, Jobless Claims
- UK - Unemployment Rate, Inflation Rate, Retail Sales
As for the Rand, it has had a considerable good run, but with signs of waning momentum, it could be that the tides may be turning, and we will be watching some key levels on our updated forecasts to confirm this.
We can expect an interesting few days ahead of us.
Please take our Rand forecasting service for a test-drive!
This will give you access to the same charts we are to give us and our clients the likely direction of the Rand - ahead of time, enabling you to make educated and informed decision.
Simply use the link below to get access now. No charge. No card. All yours to trial for 14 days.
Look forward to hearing from you.
To your success~
James Paynter
