Credit Outllook |

Less Predictable South Africa Policy May See Moody’s Rating Cut

Johannesburg (Capital Markets in Africa) – South Africa’s credit rating may be cut to junk if its policies become “even less predictable” or shift in a way that could undermine the economy, Moody’s Investors Service said. Policy uncertainty and political turmoil have increased in the last two months as the nation’s anti-graft ombudsman instructed lawmakers to change the central bank’s mandate, the mines minister published new regulations that the industry says undermine investment and President Jacob Zuma’s…

Moody’s: Ghana’s credit profile balances strong economic growth outlook

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ACCRA (Capital Markets in Africa) – Ghana’s B3 credit rating and stable outlook reflects its strong economic growth outlook and reduction in external imbalances, set against challenges which include a significant fiscal overrun in 2016, high government debt and very low debt affordability, Moody’s Investors Service said in a report published this past week. The annual update, “Government of Ghana — B3 Stable Annual Credit Analysis”, is now available on www.moodys.com. Moody’s subscribers can access…

South Africa’s Gigaba pledges to stave off third downgrade, meet with Moody’s

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CAPE TOWN (Capital Markets in Africa) – South Africa’s new finance minister pledged on Thursday to do what he can to keep the country from a third credit downgrade to junk status, saying he would meet ratings firm Moody’s to persuade it he will stay on the path of fiscal discipline. Malusi Gigaba, who replaced the respected Pravin Gordhan in a cabinet reshuffle that triggered credit downgrades to sub-investment by S&P Global Ratings and Fitch, told…

Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana Resilient to Credit Pressure from 10-yr low in Cocoa Prices

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LONDON (Capital Markets in Africa) – While cocoa prices at 10-year lows will put pressure on the economies and fiscal position of leading producers Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, both will be able to withstand short-term price fluctuations, Moody’s Investors Service said in a report today. Current average cocoa prices reflect a drop of around 30% compared to mid-2016. The report, “Sovereigns — Africa: Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana Resilient to Credit Pressures from Fall in Cocoa…

Rand tumbles after S&P downgrades South Africa to “junk”

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JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – South Africa’s rand fell more than 2 percent on Monday to its weakest in almost three months after S&P Global Ratings cut the country’s credit score to sub-investment grade with a negative outlook after last week’s dismissal of the South African finance minister. Stocks were higher on the day, led by gold shares, as demand for the safe-haven asset rose globally in response to worries U.S. President Donald Trump…

South Africa’s credit rating downgraded to junk by S&P after finmin changed

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JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – S&P Global Ratings downgraded South Africa’s sovereign credit rating to BB+ from BBB- grade on Monday, saying the recent firing of its internationally respected finance minister posed a risk fiscal policy. The rand fell by as much 2 percent to the dollar in response to the news of the downgrade, while government bonds also weakened sharply. “The downgrade reflects our view that the divisions in the ANC-led government that…

Fitch: South Africa Cabinet Reshuffle Signals Policy Change

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JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – South African president Jacob Zuma’s cabinet reshuffle signals a change in policy direction and will raise political tensions within the ANC and its traditional allies, potentially weakening public finances and standards of governance, Fitch Ratings says. The president announced that the new cabinet, in which he has replaced finance minister Pravin Gordhan with Malusi Gigaba, will work towards “radical socio-economic transformation.” In his February State of the Nation speech,…

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