Forex

Rand Falls to Six-Month Low as S. Africa Projects Wider Deficits

Published

7 years ago

October 25, 2017

Rand Falls to Six-Month Low as S. Africa Projects Wider Deficits

The rand slid to the lowest in more than six months after South Africa forecast wider fiscal deficits over the next three years.

The currency fell for a fourth day against the dollar as Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba painted a bleak picture of the state of the country’s finances in his first mid-term budget on Wednesday, with growth and revenue set to fall well short of projections made in February. Yields on the nation’s bonds rose as the projections raised the risk of further credit-rating downgrades, with the nation’s debt already rated junk by S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings Ltd.

The mid-term budget comes a week after President Jacob Zuma rattled markets by shaking up the cabinet for the second time in seven months. Slow economic growth is hampering the state’s ability to meet its revenue targets, and any further rating downgrade could spur capital outflows out of the nation.

“Although it is of some small comfort that the Treasury brought realism into its projections, the fact remains that the country faces alarming consequences in growth, fiscal performance, and financial market stability stemming from possible credit rating downgrades,” said Phoenix Kalen, an emerging-market strategist at Societe Generale in London. “Although there may be a slight bounce after today’s sizeable slide, the bias on the rand is for further weakness in the lead-up to the December ANC conference.”

The rand traded 1.4 percent weaker at 13.9424 per dollar as of 2:40 p.m. in Johannesburg and touched 13.9459, its lowest since April 11. The yield on the nation’s 10-year bonds rose 16 basis points to 9.01 percent.

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Samed Olukoya

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Businessinsider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

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Naira

Black Market Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate Today 13th May 2024

The black market, also known as the parallel market or Aboki fx, US dollar to Nigerian Naira exchange rate as of May 13th, 2024 stood at 1 USD to ₦1,500.

Published

9 hours ago

May 13, 2024

Samed Olukoya

The black market, also known as the parallel market or Aboki fx, US dollar to Nigerian Naira exchange rate as of May 13th, 2024 stood at 1 USD to ₦1,500.

Recent data from Bureau De Change (BDC) reveals that buyers in the Lagos Parallel Market purchased a dollar for ₦1,470 and sold it at ₦1,460 on Friday, May 10th, 2024.

This indicates a decline in the Naira exchange rate compared to the current rate.

The black market rate plays a crucial role for investors and participants, offering a real-time reflection of currency dynamics outside official or regulated exchange channels.

Monitoring these rates provides insights into the immediate value of the Naira against the dollar, guiding decision-making processes for individuals and businesses alike.

It’s important to note that while the black market offers valuable insights, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not officially recognize its existence.

The CBN advises individuals engaging in forex transactions to utilize official banking channels, emphasizing the importance of compliance with regulatory frameworks.

How much is dollar to naira today in the black market

For those navigating the currency exchange landscape, here are the latest figures for the black market exchange rate:

Buying Rate: ₦1,500
Selling Rate: ₦1,480

As economic conditions continue to evolve, staying informed about currency exchange rates empowers individuals to make informed financial decisions. While the black market provides immediate insights, adherence to regulatory guidelines ensures stability and transparency in forex transactions.

Forex

Zimbabwe Implements Strict Rules: $14,782 Fine for Violating Official Exchange Rate

Published

3 days ago

May 10, 2024

Samed Olukoya

Zimbabwe, in a bid to stabilize its currency and clamp down on black-market trading, has introduced stringent regulations to penalize individuals and companies found violating the official exchange rate of its new currency, the ZiG.

Under the new rules announced by Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube, offenders will face a hefty fine of 200,000 ZiG or $14,782.

The move comes as the government seeks to enforce the sole use of the official exchange rate, which is determined daily by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.

The decision to impose such a significant penalty underscores the seriousness with which Zimbabwean authorities are approaching the issue of currency stability.

By cracking down on those who flout the official exchange rate, the government aims to curb the proliferation of parallel markets and ensure the orderly functioning of the economy.

Previously, retailers were required to price their goods within 10% of the official exchange rate to prevent excessive profiteering.

However, this regulation has now been scrapped as it was deemed ineffective in curbing informal trading and maintaining the value of the currency.

The ZiG, introduced on April 5 as a successor to the Zimbabwean dollar, represents the country’s sixth attempt to establish a stable local currency.

Backed by 2.5 tons of gold and approximately $100 million in foreign currency reserves held by the central bank, the ZiG is intended to restore confidence in the nation’s monetary system.

Despite these efforts, the ZiG has faced challenges since its launch, including fluctuations in its value against major currencies.

Trading at 13.53 to the dollar as of Thursday, the currency experienced a record low of 13.67 to the dollar earlier in the week, highlighting the volatility inherent in Zimbabwe’s currency market.

The introduction of strict penalties for violating the official exchange rate reflects Zimbabwe’s determination to maintain control over its currency and stabilize its economy.

However, it remains to be seen how effective these measures will be in addressing the underlying issues contributing to currency instability and informal trading in the country.

Naira

Black Market Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate Today 9th May 2024

The black market, also known as the parallel market or Aboki fx, US dollar to Nigerian Naira exchange rate as of May 9th, 2024 stood at 1 USD to ₦1,450.

Published

4 days ago

May 9, 2024

Samed Olukoya

The black market, also known as the parallel market or Aboki fx, US dollar to Nigerian Naira exchange rate as of May 9th, 2024 stood at 1 USD to ₦1,450.

Recent data from Bureau De Change (BDC) reveals that buyers in the Lagos Parallel Market purchased a dollar for ₦1,440 and sold it at ₦1,430 on Wednesday, May 8th, 2024.

This indicates a decline in the Naira exchange rate compared to the current rate.

The black market rate plays a crucial role for investors and participants, offering a real-time reflection of currency dynamics outside official or regulated exchange channels.

Monitoring these rates provides insights into the immediate value of the Naira against the dollar, guiding decision-making processes for individuals and businesses alike.

It’s important to note that while the black market offers valuable insights, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not officially recognize its existence.

The CBN advises individuals engaging in forex transactions to utilize official banking channels, emphasizing the importance of compliance with regulatory frameworks.