SA business conditions at their worst in more than two years
The Standard Bank PMI figure of 47.2 in August bodes ill for the economy in the latter half of 2018
Private-sector activity has slipped to its lowest level in more than two years. The Standard Bank purchasing managers index (PMI) released on Wednesday showed that domestic business conditions deteriorated further in August as the index dropped to 47.2 index points from 49.3 in July — a 29-month low. The index looks at the whole economy and a score below 50 and indicates a contraction in business conditions. This is the second consecutive month of deterioration. The PMI decline was broad-based as new orders, output, employment and inventories fell further. This bodes ill for the economy in the latter half of 2018. "The poorly performing PMI reflects economic policy uncertainty, increased cost pressures from elevated oil prices, rand weakness and labour strikes. Even our below-consensus real GDP growth of 1.2% for 2018 might now disappoint," Standard Bank economist Thanda Sithole said. The Absa PMI, which measures sentiment in the manufacturing sector, also pointed to a weakening eco...
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