DStv Channel 403 Friday, 13 December 2024

Inflation outlook | Economist says another two hikes coming

JOHANNESBURG - South Africans have endured six consecutive interest rate hikes since November 2021 and it doesn’t look like there’s any chance of a reprieve soon.

The SA Reserve Bank, like other global central banks, has been hiking rates aggressively to curb surging inflation.

READ: Consumer inflation eases slightly

But as necessary as it may be, it’s been tough going for many South Africans with debt repayments.

Will consumers get some reprieve?

READ: Repo rate increase by 75 basis points

Nedbank economist Nicky Weimar doesn't think so.

"We do know that the general expectation is that US inflation might increase a little bit further and as long as that's the case the rand's very vulnerable," said Weimar.

"We see another two hikes of 25 basis points in the first half of this year and we'll probably have interest rates peak in March."

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