The CRA's Fast Stats provides data-driven insights into current political and economic trends.
Key takeaways:
The SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) Business Confidence Index for April 2020 was down 12.1 index points since March 2020.
The headline inflation rate for March 2020 was 4.1%, with core inflation at 3.7%. The increase in total administered (non-market) prices was 6.8% for that period.
The growth in money supply — the total value of money available in the economy — in March 2020 was 9.49%, compared to 8.74% in March 2019.
Equities net purchases/sales by foreigners were at -R32.6 billion for January—April 2020, compared to –R26.7 billion in January—April 2019. Bonds net purchases/sales by foreigners were at –R63.0 billion in January-April 2020, compared to R25.6 billion in January-April 2019.
The average gold price per ounce for April 2020 was $1 682, compared to $1 287 in April 2019. The average platinum price per ounce was $756 compared to $885 for the same period.
The crude oil price (brent/barrel) in April 2020 was $18.68, compared to $71.36 in April 2019.
South Africa recorded a merchandise trade surplus of R12.1 billion for January-March 2020, compared to a trade deficit of R27.0 billion for January- March 2019.
Vehicles exported were down 35.6% for January-April 2020, compared to January- April 2019. Tractors sold were down 14.3% for the same period.
The use of manufacturing production capacity for February 2020 was 79.3%, compared to 80.8% in February 2019.
The number of working days lost to strikes for January to March 2020 stood at just 10 000, compared to 1 060 000 for January to March 2019.