Investec Bets on Gold With Purchase of South African Lime Miner

Investec Bets on Gold With Purchase of South African Lime Miner

JOHANNESSBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – Investec Plc’s private-equity unit bought Idwala Industrial Holdings Co., a producer of lime supplying South Africa’s gold, base metal and chemical industries, as commodity prices rebound on demand from China. The buyout firm bought the business from Old Mutual Plc, Ethos Private Equity Ltd. and Kagiso Tiso Holdings Co. in December, Jacci Myburgh, the head of Old Mutual’s private equity division in Cape Town, said in an interview. He declined…

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Foreigners Dump S. African Stocks in Longest Streak for 5 Months

Foreigners Dump S. African Stocks in Longest Streak for 5 Months

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – Foreigners were net sellers of South African stocks for the first four days of this week, the longest sequence in almost five months, as they reduced holdings in companies including some of the country’s largest retailers. Retailers Shoprite Holdings Ltd., Mr. Price Group Ltd., and Woolworths Holdings Ltd. were among stocks most heavily sold by foreign investors, along with Richemont, Naspers Ltd. and MTN Group Ltd., figures from Johannesburg’s stock…

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South Africa’s rand jumps to 2-month high, stocks flat

South Africa’s rand jumps to 2-month high, stocks flat

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – South Africa’s rand gained more than two percent on Thursday to hit its strongest level in two months as the dollar plunged on concerns over U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s economic strategy. Stocks were flat overall but luxury goods group Richemont gained 6 percent to reach a 10-month high after posting stronger than expected sales. By 1501 GMT the rand had gained 2.2 percent to 13.4475 per dollar, following most currencies…

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Sub-Saharan Africa 2017 Growth to accelerate by 2.9 Percent, World Bank Says

Sub-Saharan Africa 2017 Growth to accelerate by 2.9 Percent, World Bank Says

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa is estimated to have decelerated to 1.5 percent in 2016, the lowest level in over two decades, as commodity exporters adjust to low commodity prices. Regional GDP per capita contracted by 1.1 percent. South Africa and oil exporters account for most of the slowdown, while activity in non-resource intensive countries—agricultural exporters and commodity importers—generally remained robust. Commodity prices are expected to stabilize, but stay well…

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MTN Drops Most in Month as Naira Traders Plan Weaker Rate vs USD

MTN Drops Most in Month as Naira Traders Plan Weaker Rate vs USD

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) — Telecom operator’s shares drop after currency traders in MTN’s biggest market, Nigeria, announce plans to introduce parallel exchange rate of 399 per dollar for naira from January 16. Stock falls as much as 4.6%, trades 3% lower at 129.89 rand as of 11:57 am in Johannesburg; biggest drop since Dec. 15. Nigerian retail currency traders will set the FX rate before the central bank meeting and they’ve set it…

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Guptas Plan to Sell South African Assets as Soon as Possible

Guptas Plan to Sell South African Assets as Soon as Possible

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – The Gupta family, who are friends of South African President Jacob Zuma and are in business with his son, said they remain intent on selling their business interests in the country after missing their target of completing the divestment last year. “The Gupta family remains committed to disposing of its shareholdings in South Africa as soon as is practically possible, and discussions continue,” the family said in an e-mailed reply to…

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South African stocks start 2017 positively, rand in the red

South African stocks start 2017 positively, rand in the red

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – South African stocks kicked off 2017 in positive territory as a platinum rally spurred producers of the precious metal, while dollar strength knocked the volatile rand into the red. The benchmark Top-40 index gained 0.8 percent on Tuesday, the first day of trade after the long New Year weekend, to reach 44,261.26. The benchmark All-share index ended the day 0.7 percent higher at 51,020.66. Platinum producers Lonmin and Northam were…

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