Die ekonomie minuut

Last week, my first-year students learned more about how we measure the economy, specifically how big it is and whether it's growing. The measure is of course the Gross Domestic Product. There are a variety of factors that can accelerate or slow down growth, but after a bit of load shedding, the class adjourned without us talking about how the economy is going at the moment. I would like to share a short summary with everyone, starting with the supply-side indicators.

* The Economics Minute is supported by the NWU Business School.

Yesterday an auntie stopped me in Dischem and asked when this podcast is going to share some positive economic news. Fortunately, BusinessDay then had just the story she was waiting for. It tells that Nedbank's latest Capital Expenditure Project Listing report shows that fixed investment could increase by 3.5% this year.

* The Economics Minute is supported by the NWU Business School.

Gister het ʼn tannie my in Dischem voorgekeer en gevra wanneer deel hierdie potgooi bietjie positewe ekonomiese nuus. Gelukkig het BusinessDay toe net die berig waarvoor sy gewag het. Dit vertel dat Nedbank se nuutste kapitaalprojekteverslag wys dat vaste investering met 3,5% kan styg hierdie jaar.

* Die Ekonomie Minuut word ondersteun deur die NWU Sakeskool.

The idea of a wealth tax pops up every now and then and was also mentioned at the ANC's policy conference as a way to finance a basic income grant. Exactly what is meant by the tax was not well explained, but the concept is that of a tax on the stock of wealth. It is not levied on income, but on the net worth of individuals. And this is where the problems begin.

* The Economics Minute is supported by the NWU Business School.

Die idee van 'n welvaartbelasting duik elke nou en dan op en is ook weer by die ANC se beleidskonferensie genoem as ʼn manier om ʼn basiese inkomstetoelaag te finansier. Presies wat met die belasting bedoel word is nie mooi verduidelik nie, maar die konsep is dié van 'n belasting op jou totale rykdom. Dit word nie op inkomste gehef nie, maar op die netto waarde van individue. En dit is waar die probleme begin.

* Die Ekonomie Minuut word ondersteun deur die NWU Sakeskool.

Die ekonomiese nuus gaan deesdae oor die verlangsaming van die ekonomie. Hoëinsetkoste en hoë rentekoerse eis hulle tol en oral is daar tekens dat verbruikers hulle besteding terugsny en besighede probeer water trap. Hierdie week is belangrikse aanwysers is ABSA en die Buro vir Ekonomiese Ondersoek se aankopebestuurdersindeks en Naamsa se voertuigverkope data vir Juliemaand.

* Die Ekonomie Minuut word ondersteun deur die NWU Sakeskool.

The economic news these days is about economic activity slowing down. High input costs and high interest rates are taking their toll and everywhere there are signs that consumers are cutting back on spending and businesses are trying to tread water. This week, key indicators are ABSA and the Bureau of Economic Research's purchasing managers' index and Naamsa's vehicle sales data for the month of July.

* The Economics Minute is supported by the NWU Business School.

Policy uncertainty is when there is uncertainty about government policy or its consequences. This in turn could cause investment to be lower while investors wait and see what happens. So the ANC policy conference that took place this past weekend is also of interest to economists.

* The Economics Minute is supported by the NWU Business School.

Beleidsonsekerheid is wanneer daar onsekerheid is oor regeringsbeleid of die gevolge daarvan. Dit kan weer veroorsaak dat investering laer is terwyl beleggers wag en sien wat gebeur. Dus is die ANC beleidskonferensie wat die afgelope naweek plaasgevind het ook vir ekonome van belang.

* Die Ekonomie Minuut word ondersteun deur die NWU Sakeskool.

Wat by die Amerikaanse Fed gebeur bly ongelukkig nie daar nie. Dit het ‘n invloed op wisselkoerse en finansiële markte reg oor die wêreld en dit is belangrik om te probeer verstaan wat verlede week gebeur het. Ons weet dat die Amerikaners se inflasiekoers is bo 9% en om dit te beveg het die Federale Reserwebank eers hulle beleid van kwantitatiewe verruiming beëindig en toe begin om rentekoerse te verhoog. Die hoop is vir ʼn sagtelanding, wat beteken dat hulle inflasie onderbeheer bring sonder om ekonomiese aktiwiteit of werkskepping te veel te demp. Presies wat die stand van sake is, is moeilik om te bepaal.

* Die Ekonomie Minuut word ondersteun deur die NWU Sakeskool.