South Africa’s consumer price index rose by 3.5% year on year in January. This was down from 3.6% in the previous reading. With inflation dropping to 3.5%, firmly in the lower part of the South African Reserve Bank’s 3-6% target band, the case for an interest rate cut is growing stronger. The economy is showing signs of weakness, with GDP growth forecasts for 2026 recently revised down to just 1.2% by the World Bank. We believe this low inflation print gives the central bank the room it needs to stimulate the economy. This development will likely put downward pressure on the rand in the coming weeks. The prospect of ... (full story)