The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) increased its benchmark repo interest rate by another 50 bps to 7.25% at its May 2023 meeting. Markets had expected a smaller 25 bps increase. Policymakers cited concerns regarding the significant depreciation of the rand and the mounting pressures of inflation as key drivers behind the rate adjustment. The SARB also revised its inflation forecasts, with inflation for 2023 now projected to average 6.2%, up from the previous estimate of 6.0%. The move triggered … Continue reading “South Africa Raises Interest Rates 50bps, Rand Falls to All Time Low”
Caterpillar Record Profit Boosted by U.S. infrastructure Spending But Flat Order Backlog Overhangs
Irving, Texas-based Caterpillar, a Dow component and gauge for global economic health reported first quarter numbers that topped Wall Street expectations with a 31% rise in first quarter profit on Thursday before the market open. $CAT reported a record $4.91adjusted earnings per share, beating Refinitiv analysts’ consensus of $3.78 per share. The company saw strong demand for its construction and mining equipment and engines for transportation and energy generation despite higher prices. The US administration’s infrastructure legislation encouraged spending in … Continue reading “Caterpillar Record Profit Boosted by U.S. infrastructure Spending But Flat Order Backlog Overhangs”
South Africa Raises Interest Rates 50bps, Revises Inflation Higher
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) increased its benchmark repo interest rate by another 50 bps to 7.75% at its March 2023 meeting. Markets had expected a smaller 25 bps increase. The move triggered a surge in the rand , which extended earlier gains to rise nearly 2% against the dollar. It was the 9th consecutive rate hike since policy normalization started in November 2021, bringing borrowing costs to the highest since May 2009. Policymakers revised significantly upward headline inflation … Continue reading “South Africa Raises Interest Rates 50bps, Revises Inflation Higher”
Demand for Caterpillar Construction and Energy Equipment Boost Sales 20%
Irving, Texas-based Caterpillar, a Dow component and gauge for global economic health reported mixed fourth-quarter numbers on Tuesday before the market open. $CAT missed on earnings but beat on revenue. The company saw strong demand for its construction and mining equipment and engines for transportation and energy generation despite higher prices. Sales came to $16.60 billion for the quarter, topping Wall Street expectations. CAT was trading $249.62 -11.88 (p 4.54%) Pre-Market Foreign-exchange headwinds however weighed on profit and its operating … Continue reading “Demand for Caterpillar Construction and Energy Equipment Boost Sales 20%”
South Africa Raises Interest Rates 75bps to Tame Inflation
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) increased its benchmark repo interest rate by another 75 bps to 7% at its November 2022 meeting, as widely expected. Prime is now at 10.5%. This was the 7th consecutive rate hike as the SARB tries to tame inflation expectations more firmly around the mid-point of the target band and achieve the inflation target in 2024. South Africa’s inflation rate unexpectedly rose to 7.6% in October from 7.5% in September. The decision was not … Continue reading “South Africa Raises Interest Rates 75bps to Tame Inflation”
Steel Rebar Futures Lowest in Two Years Impacted by China’s Dynamic Zero-COVID Policy
Steel rebar futures fell to the lowest in two-years Monday at CNY 3,650 per tonne. Deepening recession fears and heavy losses in Chinese bonds and stocks following the reelection of President Xi. Steel rebar and Iron ore futures have been a clear leader from the early days of the raw materials rally. They are also the most volatile. Volatility is fed multiple things, the property sector, energy prices, interest rates, COVID policy and the ongoing trade war between the world’s biggest … Continue reading “Steel Rebar Futures Lowest in Two Years Impacted by China’s Dynamic Zero-COVID Policy”
BHP Quarterly Iron Ore Output Higher with Continued Ramp Up at South Flank Mine
Australian mining giant BHP said on Wednesday its quarterly iron ore output rose, aided by a continued ramp-up at its South Flank project. BHP continues in sync to replace diminishing iron ore output from its existing Yandi mine which is nearing the end of its life. The first ore from its $4.6 billion South Flank mine in the Pilbara, WA was mined earlier this year. Production in the September quarter has stayed high while at the same time spot prices … Continue reading “BHP Quarterly Iron Ore Output Higher with Continued Ramp Up at South Flank Mine”
Caterpillar Tempered Sales with Global Supply Chain and Inflation Uncertainty
Caterpillar, a Dow component and gauge for global economic health reported mixed second-quarter numbers on Tuesday before the market open. $CAT beat on earnings but missed on revenue. Price realization was the highest in more than two years despite recessionary impact for the cyclical construction and mining businesses. The stock had significantly outperformed the market in 2022 after the market sold off the stock with concerns about the supply chain and inflation heading into 2022. However, $CAT fell to $183.51 … Continue reading “Caterpillar Tempered Sales with Global Supply Chain and Inflation Uncertainty”
Gold Miner Newmont Shares Crumble 12% After Earnings Miss on Weaker Bullion Prices
Gold and copper producer Newport Goldcorp announced weaker than expected second quarter earnings Monday sending their stock sharply lower. By lunchtime NEM was trading at 45.26-6.13 ( -11.94%) a more than two-year low. The companies’ shares have tumbled 40% over the past three months. Profit was down almost 41% from a year ago, reflecting a drop in gold prices and cost of sales jumped 33% while sales fell. Newmont: Boddington Australia Newmont Q2 2022 Earnings Newmont second-quarter profit fell well … Continue reading “Gold Miner Newmont Shares Crumble 12% After Earnings Miss on Weaker Bullion Prices”
US Industrial Production in May Slows with Manufacturing Falling
Industrial production slowed in May with manufacturing the culprit. Total industrial production rose 0.2% month-over-month in May lower than the consensus 0.5% following an upwardly revised 1.4% increase (from 1.1%) in April. The capacity utilization rate increased to 79.0% again missing the consensus 79.3% from a downwardly revised 78.9% (from 79.0%) in April. US May Industrial Production Highlights Manufacturing output decreased 0.1% after increasing 0.8% in April. Motor vehicle assemblies increased 2.0% month-over-month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of … Continue reading “US Industrial Production in May Slows with Manufacturing Falling”