What the rating agency said about SA
Political risk, Eskom, Sanral and SAA mentioned as key factors undermining confidence by S&P Global
This is an extract from S&P Global's announcement of a ratings downgrade for South Africa issued on 3 March 2017: RATIONALE The downgrade reflects our view that the divisions in the ANC-led government that have led to changes in the executive leadership, including the finance minister, have put policy continuity at risk. This has increased the likelihood that economic growth and fiscal outcomes could suffer. The rating action also reflects our view that contingent liabilities to the state, particularly in the energy sector, are on the rise, and that previous plans to improve the underlying financial position of Eskom may not be implemented in a comprehensive and timely manner. In our view, higher risks of budgetary slippage will also put upward pressure on South Africa's cost of capital, further dampening already-modest growth.
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