What a Week! What Now?
3 September 2015 Wow, what a week and half it has been! We said the Rand was at a critical juncture in my last post, and so it was. But it wasn’t
Dollar/Rand at Critical Juncture
19 August 2015 The Rand has pushed higher the past few days, threatening a test of R13.00 to the Dollar... ... a level last seen on that day (21 December 2001), when
Rand at Extreme of Pattern and Sentiment
5 August 2015 Financial markets have been pretty hectic the past few weeks. And the past week has been a real humdinger, with the Rand making new mult-year 'lows' against the Dollar
Respect the Tide, Ride the Wave, Watch the Ripples - Part 3
13 March 2015 This is the last in this 3-part series of articles, in which we have shown how financial markets like the Rand can be likened to the movements of
Respect the Tide, Ride the Wave, Watch the Ripples - Part 2
3 March 2015 Last week we looked at the analogy of how foreign currency markets like the Dollar/Rand can be related to the ocean, and how there are cycles and moods
Respect the Tide, Ride the Wave, Watch the Ripples - Part 1
19 February 2015 We have heard some of these expressions before...and no doubt to some degree have experienced them ourselves in a positive and negative way. Perhaps the joy of simply being carried by
Can Governor Kganyago Tame the Rand?
27 October 2014 The announcement that deputy Governor Lesetja Kganyago will succeed outgoing Reserve Bank governor Gill Marcus in November was well received by the markets, with it being the first
Debt Bubbles, Bailouts and Bankers
9 September 2014 Well, well, our very own bank bailout! Should we not be proud to have joined the Global Bailout Club? As we all know by now, African Bank was placed under
Do YOU have Hot Bath Investor Syndrome?
4 July 2014 What does a nice, hot, deep bath have to do with the investing or trading in any financial market - whether the Rand, other currencies, gold, commodities, bonds,
Rand Bearish As It Bounces Off Support
6 June 2014 Since hitting a high of 11.38 to the Dollar at the end of January, the Rand enjoyed a full 3 months plus of bullish gains. But just when it
When Will SA’s External Debt Bubble Burst?
2 May 2014 Last post, we had a look at one of the major risks to the South African economy and the Rand – a Twin Deficit that has grown from
Is the Fragile Five Label Fitting?
31 March 2014 Last year Morgan Stanley coined the phrase the “Fragile Five,” lumping South Africa together with India, Brazil, Indonesia and Turkey as being the countries that were most at
Does News Determine Market Direction?
6 March 2014 Whenever there is a big move in the Rand (or any financial market for that matter), the first question that is asked is, “What news caused the Rand to
Rand Breaks Key Levels After Dismal Year
22 January 2014 Here's wishing you all a healthy and prosperous 2014! The Rand completed what has been a one-way trip against the Dollar during 2013, hitting 10.58 on the last day
Do Interest Rates Really Drive the Rand?
Fundamental analysis plays a big part in how economists look at a currency and its future value. However, while some of these studies can be of assistance in the long term
Demystifying the Rand's Relationship with Gold
In our April 2013 post, we pointed out that the common-held belief – that South Africa has been and is a commodity-based economy which is closely aligned with the fortunes
Putting Global Forex Markets in Perspective
The Rand has continued its volatile behaviour, touching just over 10.50 in August (the price target area shown in our previous post) before strengthening by almost a Rand over the
Rand Targets Key Fibonacci Levels
This year is certainly turning out to be a humdinger for the Rand – surprising exporters and importers, investors, economists and apparent pundits with the extent and volatility of its