The market was taken by surprise after the SA Reserve Bank cut interest rates by 25 basis points, proving the vast majority of economists wrong in their predictions. The Monetary Policy Committee unanimously voted to cut the repo rate to 6.25%, reducing the prime interest rate to 9.75%. That will be welcome news for consumers, particularly with unemployment on the rise. Following Massmart's news that it had entered a Section 189 consultation process with unions and stakeholders that could result in around 1,440 workers losing their jobs, Sibanye-Stillwater has concluded its S189 process. While it has managed to save some jobs, thousands will be lost. More on that in your final newsletter of the week, along with a mixed production report from diversified miner South32 and bad news for IT security specialist ISA Holdings after it was demoted by one of its strategic vendor partners. Also, Vivo Energy's shares also came under pressure yesterday after it confirmed its Moroccan unit had been included in an investigation by that country's competition authorities. Ingham Analytics has issued a new report on Sasol, which it expects to muddle along for the short term as it gets its Lake Charles project in the US up and running. You can get access to the report by following this link. Finally, DealMakers is also back with all the latest merger and acquisition news. Have a great weekend. Stephen Gunnion Managing Editor, InceConnect |