The rand’s future faces an uncertain path following the US and Israel’s attacks on Iran, which have plunged the Middle East into chaos.
Global markets are entering a high-risk open on Monday amid tensions in one of the world’s most important energy corridors.
Nigel Green, founder and chief executive of deVere Group, said the scale of risk embedded in that geography will dominate asset pricing.
The US dollar and Japanese Yen are set to attract defensive allocations, while high-beta emerging-market currencies, such as the rand, are likely to face renewed selling pressure if volatility accelerates.
Markets will focus on duration and containment. A short, tightly defined military campaign would likely trigger a spike in oil and a brief risk-off move in equities, followed by stabilisation once shipping routes are confirmed secure,” said Green.
As of Sunday, 1 March, the rand is trading at R15.93 to the dollar, R21.48 to the pound, and R18.81 to the euro.
Gold is currently valued at $5,278.01 per ounce, while oil prices have risen to $73.08 per barrel.
The 5 most important things happening in South Africa today
Flights suspended: The conflicts in the Middle East have led to the airspace in several countries being closed, including the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan. Emirates and Qatar Airways flights said that they will not be departing from South Africa until further notice. Air France said that it also suspended flights into Dubai and Riyadh. [BusinessTech;EWN]
Trade deal hopes: President Cyril Ramaphosa’s special adviser on investments, Alistair Ruiters, will travel to the USA next week to continue trade negotiations between the two countries. This comes shortly after US President Donald Trump’s global tariffs were struck down by the Supreme Court, which imposed a 30% tariff on South Africa. [City Press]
Iran’s leader killed: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in his office on Saturday morning following air strikes that have plunged the Middle East into chaos. Trump called Khamenei “one of the most evil people in History.” [BBC]
Minister Hacked: Minister Dean Macpherson and DG Sifiso Mdakane are said to be under surveillance as part of their plan to curb corruption at the Department of Public Works & Infrastructure. Sources told the Sunday Times that the Minister and DG were informed that they may have been hacked after a sensitive communication between them appeared online. [Sunday Times]
Massive data centre on the cards: Korea South Power Consortium is looking to build a new AI data centre in Amanzimtoti, eThekwini, promising up to R159 billion in capital investment. While the proposal sounds exciting, the DA is concerned about the lack of information regarding the deal. [MyBroadband]
