SOUTH AFRICA: DA Dig In Ahead Of Cabinet Meeting, ANC Push For Reduced VAT Hike
Mar-03 11:01
Democratic Alliance (DA) Spokesperson on Finance Mark Burke called it a "shame that the ANC is willing to risk South Africa’s economic stability in a desperate attempt to force a tone-deaf 0.75% VAT increase down the throats of South Africans" and declared that his party "refuses to be held hostage or intimidated by the ANC’s blatant threat to approach the EFF to pass this VAT-based budget."
- The Sunday Times reported that the African National Congress (ANC) is planning to "erect an EFF budget scarecrow" and threaten to approach the radical Economic Freedom Fighters for the votes needed to pass the 2025 National Budget, if the DA refuses to support a reduced 0.75pp VAT hike.
- The tug-of-war between the ANC and its coalition partners continues ahead of today's special Cabinet meeting called to discuss a revised spending plan draft. The ANC's and DA's brinkmanship forced the government to postpone the budget, while the first revised draft was rejected by the Cabinet last week.
- News24 circulated a source report noting that President Cyril Ramaphosa and Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana floated the idea of a "middle ground" approach last week, which would involve a 0.5-1.0pp increase in the VAT rate, compared with the original proposal of a 2pp increase.
- Tensions within the Government of National Unity (GNU) resurfaced as Corne Mulder, the new leader of Freedom Front Plus (FF+), said that the party's Afrikaner constituency has become "very sceptical" of the pact and reiterated that the 2025 National Budget is "the first real test" for the coalition.
- The GNU is headed for another showdown today, with the DA showing no intention to soften its firm opposition to any VAT increases, keeping uncertainty elevated ahead of the announcement of the outcome of the much awaited Cabinet meeting.
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FED: Powell To Deliver Semi-Annual Testimony In Mid-Feb
Jan-31 21:48
The House Financial Services Committee's website confirms that Fed Chair Powell will deliver his semi-annual Monetary Policy Report on Wednesday Feb 12 at 1000ET.
- The Semi-annual testimony will be closely eyed as Powell's first scheduled appearance since the January FOMC - and the House testimony on the 12th is the same day as the release of January CPI (and the week after nonfarm payrolls and benchmark revisions) so will be of particular interest.
US OUTLOOK/OPINION: Nonfarm Payrolls, Revisions Highlight Next Week In US Macro
Jan-31 21:39
Friday’s nonfarm payrolls for January highlights the US macro week. It's a highly anticipated report that could alter recent trends considering it will include annual benchmark revisions along with seasonal factors and an updated birth-death model.
- The preliminary estimate for the benchmark revision pointed to the level of payrolls being some 818k lower than currently reported for back in March 2024. There’s a broad expectation from what we can gather that the hit seen next week won’t be as large but it could still be significant. We also watch the seasonal revisions closely, as whilst they should have a zero-sum impact over the calendar year, we’ve noted some particularly favorable seasonal factors in recent months that have biased seasonally adjusted jobs growth higher.
- With these considerations in mind, the early days of the Bloomberg consensus points to nonfarm payrolls growth of 150k after a solid three-month average of 170k. Note that the unemployment rate from the separate household survey won’t be affected by these revisions, having already seen its own seasonal factor revisions last month. A population control will complicate month-on-month changes in the levels of employment and unemployment but shouldn’t be significant for the rate, which is seen unchanged at 4.1% having surprised lower with 4.09% in December. The recent high is technically 4.23% in November having first popped to 4.22% back in July.
- Two other special mentions for the week are: 1) rare remarks from FOMC Vice Chair Jefferson speaking on the economic outlook and monetary policy late on Tuesday with both text and Q&A, having last spoke on Oct 9. 2) ISM services on Wednesday after its priced paid series jumped 5.9pts to 64.4 in December for the highest since Feb 2023.
- Away from macro but still material, the coming week brings the US Treasury's quarterly refunding process - our preview is here.
MACRO ANALYSIS: MNI US Macro Weekly: Uncertainty Vindicates Fed’s Patience
Jan-31 21:37
In a largely positive week for economic activity data, including in core durable goods and MNI Chicago PMI, the Q4 GDP accounts stood out by showing a very strong end to 2024 for the consumer.
- As we go to press, though, President Trump has confirmed that tariffs would be imposed on Canada, Mexico, and China beginning this weekend – while also threatening further action against the likes of the European Union and across various import categories.
- The combination of solid growth and policy uncertainty, along with stubborn “supercore” PCE inflation for December, seemingly vindicated the Federal Reserve’s “hawkish hold” at its January meeting.
- A March rate cut is still a possibility but the bar for such an outcome has been set high.
- That gets us to the first key release between now and then: Friday’s nonfarm payrolls for January is the highlight of the US macro week, and could alter recent trends considering it will include annual benchmark revisions along with seasonal factors and an updated birth-death model.
- Other highlights in the upcoming week include ISM Services and the Treasury’s quarterly Refunding announcement (Wednesday), while FOMC Vice Chair Jefferson delivers commentary on the economic outlook and monetary policy Tuesday.
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