RenCap Sees South African Rand Gaining 30% on Inflows

RenCap Sees South African Rand Gaining 30% on Inflows

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – South Africa’s rand is set to extend gains, strengthening between 20 percent and 30 percent against the dollar over the next two years as relatively high yields continue to attract investment into Africa’s biggest economy, according to Renaissance Capital Ltd. An improvement in the current-account deficit, a risk factor for the currency, also bodes well for the rand, Charles Robertson, the London-based chief economist at RenCap, said at a conference…

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Ghana Cedi Falls as Government Wage Bill Exceeds Projections

Ghana Cedi Falls as Government Wage Bill Exceeds Projections

ACCRA (Capital Markets in Africa) – Ghana’s currency retreated on Monday after government data showed the West African nation is overshooting key budget targets as it approaches elections in December. The government spent 58 percent of its full-year budget for state-worker pay in the first six months of 2016, exceeding annual allocations for local government and rural development employees, according to budget documents, raising questions about the country’s commitment to rein in the fiscal deficit as…

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Oil Trade Gives Clearest Sign Yet Nigeria’s Forcados to Return

Oil Trade Gives Clearest Sign Yet Nigeria’s Forcados to Return

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – The oil market gave the clearest sign yet that Nigeria’s Forcados crude is about to flow again for the first time in eight months, after Royal Dutch Shell Plc was among companies said to have purchased the grade halted by militant attacks in February. Axion Energy Argentina SA, Pampa Energia SA, and Shell, operator of the Forcados export terminal, together bought about 1 million barrels of the grade for delivery to refineries…

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Early Signs of OPEC Supply After Algiers Deal Show Saudi Dilemma

Early Signs of OPEC Supply After Algiers Deal Show Saudi Dilemma

ALGIERS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Just days after OPEC agreed the framework for its first production cut in eight years, initial estimates of the group’s output this month show the potential bind faced by its most powerful member. While Saudi Arabia lowered output this month — following the typical seasonal shift as local consumption sags at the end of summer — the group’s overall output remained steady as Nigeria and Libya restored disrupted supplies and Iran continued its…

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Tullow Oil Confirms Insurance for Jubilee Field Output Losses

Tullow Oil Confirms Insurance for Jubilee Field Output Losses

ACCRA (Capital Markets in Africa) – Tullow Oil Plc confirmed that insurance would cover losses associated with a technical issue that disrupted output at its flagship asset in Ghana. The Africa-focused oil explorer and producer received confirmation from its lead insurers that they accept there is a recoverable claim, according to a statement Friday. The London-based company did not disclose the scale of losses caused when production was halted at the Jubilee field from March 20…

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South Africa Seals Lowest Dollar-Borrowing Costs Yet in Sale

South Africa Seals Lowest Dollar-Borrowing Costs Yet in Sale

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – South Africa achieved its lowest borrowing costs yet for dollar-denominated debt, taking advantage of demand for emerging-market debt to raise $3 billion as rating companies prepare to review the country’s creditworthiness. In its second foray into international debt markets this year, the country sold $2 billion of 12-year notes and $1 billion of 30-year securities with investors in Asia, Europe and the U.S. who placed orders for 2.5 times the amount,…

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Locals on Sidelines as Foreigners Reap South Africa Debt Reward

Locals on Sidelines as Foreigners Reap South Africa Debt Reward

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – South Africa is looking better from the outside than the inside, judging by the behaviour of bond investors. Foreign holdings of South African government securities are at the highest in two years, with inflows of 62 billion rand ($4.5 billion) this year, compared with 6 billion rand in the corresponding period last year. By contrast, domestic pension funds, historically the biggest investors in government debt, in August reduced their stock to…

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