SARB interest rate easing cycle likely coming to an end, says Absa

THE South African Reserve Bank (SARB) interest rate easing cycle is nearing its end after it decided to keep the repo rate unchanged.

- SIPHELELE DLUDLA

This was the caution from Absa Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) economics team on Tuesday as they presented their perspectives for the first quarter of 2025.

The Sarb’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) last week decided to keep the repo rate on hold at 7.50% after cutting rates by a cumulative 75 basis points since September last year.

This was in line with consensus and against market expectation of a 25 basis points cut.

Absa chief economist Miyelani Maluleke said the PMC’s decision to hold interest rates implied the cutting cycle could be over.

Maluleke said the MPC expressed concern about escalating trade tensions, geopolitical relationships that are changing ‘abruptly, a global outlook that was ‘unpredictable’ as well as domestic uncertainty.