ECONOMIC WEEK AHEAD: Why analysts are divided on recession
03 September 2018 - 05:08
bySunita Menon
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The attention this week will be on Tuesday’s release of second-quarter GDP figures, which will indicate whether SA has tipped into a recession.
Following a dismal performance in the first quarter, when GDP shrank 2.2%, SA is still at risk of its first recession since the global financial crisis, after the 2017 figures were revised upwards.
A recession is defined as two successive quarters of negative quarter-on-quarter GDP growth and points to a prolonged slowdown in economic activity, which stunts job creation and dampens investment. News of a recession is likely to shock the credit ratings agencies, which have given SA a reprieve so far in 2018. Second-quarter figures released so far by Stats SA have increased concern about the state of the economy. They include a weak performance in the retail sector. Manufacturing production remained flat in the second quarter, while mining production showed marginal growth.
However, analysts are at odds over whether SA will be plunged into a recession or narrowly escape this fate.
"A weak performance from key sectors has still dealt a blow to hopes that President [Cyril] Ramaphosa would boost growth. It’s possible that SA entered a recession last quarter," said Capital Economics economist John Ashbourne.
If there is growth, it is expected to be relatively flat and below 1%.
"It will be very close and the gist of the matter is that the economy is stagnant," said First National Bank (FNB) senior economic analyst Jason Muscat.
FNB predicts SA will avert a technical recession and the economy will expand 0.5%.
Absa forecasts growth of 0.8%. Services, which account for the bulk of output, should continue to expand modestly, although weak retail sales raise some concern about the trade sector, said Absa.
"Even if SA avoids a technical recession, there is little to be happy about in terms of the economy’s current growth momentum," it said.
On Monday Absa will release the purchasing managers’ index for August, which gauges activity in the manufacturing sector. A score above 50 indicates an expanding sector. The index is usually a good indicator of manufacturing production figures two months later.
FNB chief economist Mamello Matikinca predicts a move back below the 50 neutral level, given the weak domestic environment.
Monday will also bring the release of vehicle sales figures for August. They have been weak so far in 2018.
"The sector continues to be hamstrung by weak business confidence and investment, which has seen the commercial vehicle segment -1.7% weaker year to date," said Matikinca.
Correction: September 3 2018
An earlier version of this article said July vehicle sales figures will be released on Monday.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
ECONOMIC WEEK AHEAD: Why analysts are divided on recession
The attention this week will be on Tuesday’s release of second-quarter GDP figures, which will indicate whether SA has tipped into a recession.
Following a dismal performance in the first quarter, when GDP shrank 2.2%, SA is still at risk of its first recession since the global financial crisis, after the 2017 figures were revised upwards.
A recession is defined as two successive quarters of negative quarter-on-quarter GDP growth and points to a prolonged slowdown in economic activity, which stunts job creation and dampens investment. News of a recession is likely to shock the credit ratings agencies, which have given SA a reprieve so far in 2018. Second-quarter figures released so far by Stats SA have increased concern about the state of the economy. They include a weak performance in the retail sector. Manufacturing production remained flat in the second quarter, while mining production showed marginal growth.
However, analysts are at odds over whether SA will be plunged into a recession or narrowly escape this fate.
"A weak performance from key sectors has still dealt a blow to hopes that President [Cyril] Ramaphosa would boost growth. It’s possible that SA entered a recession last quarter," said Capital Economics economist John Ashbourne.
If there is growth, it is expected to be relatively flat and below 1%.
"It will be very close and the gist of the matter is that the economy is stagnant," said First National Bank (FNB) senior economic analyst Jason Muscat.
FNB predicts SA will avert a technical recession and the economy will expand 0.5%.
Absa forecasts growth of 0.8%. Services, which account for the bulk of output, should continue to expand modestly, although weak retail sales raise some concern about the trade sector, said Absa.
"Even if SA avoids a technical recession, there is little to be happy about in terms of the economy’s current growth momentum," it said.
On Monday Absa will release the purchasing managers’ index for August, which gauges activity in the manufacturing sector. A score above 50 indicates an expanding sector. The index is usually a good indicator of manufacturing production figures two months later.
FNB chief economist Mamello Matikinca predicts a move back below the 50 neutral level, given the weak domestic environment.
Monday will also bring the release of vehicle sales figures for August. They have been weak so far in 2018.
"The sector continues to be hamstrung by weak business confidence and investment, which has seen the commercial vehicle segment -1.7% weaker year to date," said Matikinca.
Correction: September 3 2018
An earlier version of this article said July vehicle sales figures will be released on Monday.
menons@businesslive.co.za
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