EDITORIAL: Feed green shoots of confidence
Confidence data will indicate whether the upward trend is not only sustained but accelerated
Amid all the financial market euphoria since the government of national unity (GNU) was formed in July, the latest official data on the real economy is a sobering reminder of SA’s challenges.
The economy grew by just 0.4% in the second quarter of 2024, lower than the consensus forecast of 0.5%. Comparing this year’s first half with 2023’s also shows an increase of just 0.4%. On the upside, seven of the economy’s 10 sectors showed growth, and consumption spending rebounded quite strongly. On the downside, fixed investment declined for a fourth consecutive quarter. Net exports were down too. And agriculture and mining contracted, as did transport...
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