Treasuries Little Changed; Durable Goods May Reduce Outlook for Inflation

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. Treasuries were little changed
before a government report that economists say will show
durable goods orders fell in May, sending a gauge of inflation
expectations to the lowest this month.

A decline in orders may provide further evidence the economy
is slowing enough for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates,
after consumer confidence dropped in June to the lowest since
August. Reports this week also showed the slump in the housing
market may keep inflation, which erodes the fixed payments on
bonds, within the central bank's desired zone.


Read more at Bloomberg Bonds News

German Consumer Confidence, U.S. Home Sales, Fed Rates: Europe Week Ahead

(Bloomberg) -- Reports on German consumer
confidence, U.S. home sales and the Federal Reserve's decision on
interest rates may move stock markets in Europe next week.

``With a flurry of economic data to be released next week,
inflation will be the main topic,'' said Juergen Lukasser, who
helps manage $20 billion as head of equities at Constantia
Privatbank AG in Vienna. ``Investors will look very closely at
the housing data from the U.S.''


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

Absa Economic Research

Comments on current economic issues

21 February
Chart of the Week (60KB)

According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness report for 2006-07, the most competitive economies are those of Switzerland, Finland and Sweden. The USA which was ranked 1st in 2005, experienced the biggest drop, falling to 6th place in 2006. ... more

Standard Bank Economics Reports

Market forecast
Monthly short- to medium-term foreign exchange, inflation and interest rate outlook.

Macroeconomic forecast
Long-term annual forecasts of growth, inflation, interest rates and exchange rates.

Tanzania: Blueprint 2007
Economic growth is expected to accelerate to 7.3% in 2007 from 5.9% in 2006, as the country emerges from the retarding effects of the drought that caused a severe energy shortage and underproduction in the agriculture sector.

Mozambique: Blueprint 2007
After declining for four consecutive months to this year’s low of 10.6% y/y in August, overall inflation accelerated in September to 12.7% y/y. The increase in overall inflation in September was largely due to rising food inflationary pressures.

FUND MANAGER REPORTS

Stanlib: Stanlib's Weekly Focus (141kb)
Catalyst: Catalyst Monthly Property Report (338kb)
Alphen: Barbarians at the gate or monkeys at the door? (131kb)
RMB: RMB Asset Management Market Summary (73kb)
Alphen: The Bull Run: Stronger for longer? (360kb)
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