Our Economic Outlook: Good News or Bad?
“Prediction is very difficult, especially if it’s about the future” (Niels Bohr, theoretical physicist and Nobel Prize winner) After shrinking sharply in the first quarter, the economy rebounded to show “record” 3.1% positive growth in the second quarter. Does...
The Big Mac Index Says the Rand is Way Undervalued
“Our results indicate that the Big Mac Index is surprisingly accurate in tracking exchange rates over the long-term, which is consistent with previous PPP research findings” (ScienceDirect) For decades the Economist has been publishing its Big Mac Index to give an...
How Many Days Did You Work For The Taxman In 2019?
“Tax Freedom Day is calculated by dividing general government revenue by GDP at market prices, then multiplying the result by the number of days in a year, and finally adding a day” (Free Market Foundation) In the current year it will take the average South African...
Quick Wins to Get Our Economy Going Again
“I approach every problem with optimism” (Nelson Mandela) The mood of optimism that pervaded a year ago is rapidly fading – the Business Confidence Index is on a steady decline. Every 1% rise in business confidence results in 0.5% growth in the economy – as President...
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