SOUTH AFRICA: Mbalula Says Ramaphosa Is Not Resigning, October CPI Data Eyed
Nov-19 07:57
- Top African National Congress (ANC) officials continued to push back against speculation that President Cyril Ramaphosa could step down, with Secretary General Fikile Mbalula telling reporters that it would amount to a 'betrayal' as he was an asset to the party. He denied that the issue was discussed at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting last weekend, but admitted that there were people in the party 'who have got such intentions'. Ramaphosa reportedly told the panel that those calling for his removal should reveal their position rather than plot 'in dark corners like cowards', adding that he was prepared to resign if he lost the confidence of the NEC.
- US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent took a swing at the G20 Leaders' Summit organised by South Africa, dismissing it as 'basically a G100'. Despite US boycott, the summit will be attended by 42 delegations (including from 16 guest countries and 6 regional organisations) amid Pretoria's push to make the format more inclusive. Bessent said that the 2026 summit hosted by the US will be more streamlined and centred around American leadership.
- A G20 expert panel handed a report to President Ramaphosa, in which it called for better regulation of credit ratings amid the assessment that Africa is disadvantaged by 'distorted perceptions of risks', which boosts debt-servicing costs across the continent. Finance Minister Godongwana expressed similar sentiment lats week as he cautioned against premature optimism surrounding a potential (and subsequently delivered) upgrade to South Africa's credit rating by S&P.
- Statistics SA will publish October CPI data at 08:00GMT/10:00SAST, with headline inflation expected to have quickened to +3.7% Y/Y. September retail sales will cross the wires at 11:00GMT/13:00SAST, but the smaller delay in data collection and the proximity of the SARB's monetary policy decision will keep the inflation report in the spotlight.
- eNCA reported that large parts of central Pretoria are without power amid widespread outages, which has affected government buildings.
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BUNDS: Block trade
Oct-20 07:53
Bund Block trade, suggest seller:
- RXZ5 2.4k at 129.90.
FRANCE: S&P Casts Doubt Over Budget Consolidation; Moody's Due Friday
Oct-20 07:47
- While the timing of S&P's decision came as a surprise, the outcome was in line with our expectations.
- S&P wrote that “reflecting the likelihood of modifications to the 2026 draft budget, we expect deficits to remain elevated over the next three years"
- "Even if snap parliamentary elections were to be called and produce a clear majority in the National Assembly, there is no guarantee that this would smooth the path for a credible medium-term fiscal consolidation plan or economic reform implementation. The closeness of the 2027 presidential elections casts doubt on whether any such strategy could be consistently implemented--or whether France could realistically achieve its 3% of GDP budget deficit target by 2029"
- S&P's 2026 deficit forecast of 5.3% is well above Lecornu’s target of 4.7% (which is expected to move closer to 5.0% through the budget negotiation phase).
- Moody's are scheduled to review France's sovereign rating on Friday (Current rating Aa3, Outlook Stable). An outlook downgrade to Negative is likely (and probably in the price for OATs), but a downgrade to A1 remains a risk.
- At the April periodic review, Moody's noted that "a reversal of the reforms implemented since 2017, such as labour market liberalization and pension reform, would be credit negative if we were to determine that this policy choice would have materially negative medium-term implications for France's growth potential and/or fiscal trajectory".
- A reminder that Lecornu has temporarily suspended the 2023 pension reform until the 2027 elections to appease the Socialists.
FRANCE: 10-year OAT/Bund Unwinds Some Early Widening As S&P Decision Digested
Oct-20 07:44
- The 10-year OAT/Bund spread opened ~2bps wider at 80bps, but has since narrowed back to ~79bps as markets digest S&P’s unscheduled rating downgrade (to A+ from AA-) on Friday. S&P had held France on a Negative Outlook, but were not scheduled to conduct a review until November 28.
- With the S&P downgrade now in the rear view, this could provide scope for OAT/Bund to drift lower in the coming weeks (based on a "no news is goods news" argument). However, we struggle to see the spread pushing below the 70bp handle in the near-term, and expect material upside sensitivity on headlines related to political/fiscal negotiations.
- Although PM Lecornu survived last week’s no confidence votes, risks remain present. Budget negotiations start from this week, and Lecornu will have to tread a fine line to maintain tacit support from the Socialist and Republican parties.
- The simple chart below suggests OATs continue to embed a political/fiscal risk premium, pushing 10-year yields above the ratings trendline.
