Fed maintains 5.3% rate amid high inflation: Impact on ZAR?; Stakeholders put plans in motion to revive SA’s clothing manufacturing sector

The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady at a two-decade high of roughly 5.3% as it signalled that it will only cut until prices start to slow down. Kevin Lings, chief economist at Stanlib Asset Management explains what it means for the country and the SARB’s cutting cycle.

Micheal Lawrence, executive director at National Clothing Retail Federation discusses the plan by the Western Cape clothing industry to re-establish local clothing manufacturing in order for the country to be able to compete with cheap imports. The plan involves creating new quick-response clothing factories around the province, this will also help ramp up employment. 

Chantal Marx, Head of Equity Research at FNB Wealth and Investments, joins host Bruce Whitfield to discuss the influence of political events on financial markets, especially with elections looming in South Africa and the United States. They explore market reactions to politics, global and local election dynamics, and opportunities arising from pre-election mispricings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.