13 April 2006
Strong consumer demand and rising international oil prices continue to pose
a threat to the inflation outlook. Household consumption spending has continued
to grow at high levels, and there are few signs of moderation. Consumer
confidence is at an all-time high, and this has been reflected in higher
household debt, strong credit extension and a widening of the current account
deficit of the balance of payments.
These developments have occurred against a backdrop of resurgent
international oil and other commodity prices, and a strongly growing world
economy. Robust global growth, persistent international imbalances and the
perceived need for caution going forward has resulted in further monetary
policy tightening by many of the worldâs major central banks, and the general
expectation is that the international interest rate cycle has not yet reached
its peak. World inflation, however, remains under control at low levels.
Recent inflation developments
Inflation as measured by the consumer price index for metropolitan and other
urban areas excluding the interest cost on mortgage bonds (CPIX) increased by
4,5 per cent in February of this year, having measured 4,0 per cent and 4,3 per
cent in the previous two months respectively. Petrol price increases are the
main cause of this upward trend in inflation. If petrol prices were excluded,
CPIX inflation would have averaged 3,4 per cent in December 2005 and 3,3 per
cent in both of the subsequent two months. Transport running costs increased at
year-on-year rates of 21,5 per cent and 24,6 per cent in January and February
2006 respectively.
Services price inflation has continued to decline steadily, to the extent
that in January and February this year it was lower than goods price inflation.
In February, services price inflation measured 4,0 per cent compared to goods
price inflation of 4,8 per cent. Administered price inflation excluding petrol
is now significantly lower than overall CPIX inflation, and measured 3,6 per
cent and 3,5 per cent in January and February respectively. Some categories of
goods continued to contribute significantly to the favourable inflation
outcome. Of note were the price declines in the categories of clothing and
footwear, and furniture and equipment. By contrast, food price inflation edged
up further at rates of 4,3 per cent and 4,5 per cent in January and February
respectively. This was mainly as a result of significant year-on-year increases
in the prices of meat, fish and fruit. Prices of grain products however rose at
very low rates, despite the sizeable increase in maize prices during the latter
part of 2005.
Production price inflation remained unchanged at 5,5 per cent in February
compared to January. Imported goods inflation measured 6,4 per cent and 6,9 per
cent in these two months, while prices of domestically produced goods increased
by 5,2 per cent and 5,1 per cent respectively. The higher imported price
inflation is primarily due to the impact of increased energy prices. If energy
costs were excluded, production price inflation would have measured 3,5 per
cent in both January and February.
The outlook for inflation
The inflation outlook remains benign, although there are significant risks.
The most recent central forecast of the Bank is similar to that seen at the
February 2006 meeting of the MPC. According to the forecast, inflation is
expected to peak at a level just below five per cent in the first quarter of
2007, and then decline to a level of around 4,6 per cent, and remain there till
the end of the forecast period in 2008.
A number of factors have contributed to this positive inflation outlook.
Wage settlements thus far have continued to be generally well contained and in
line with the inflation target range. In the fourth quarter of 2005, nominal
unit labour cost in the formal non-agricultural sector of the economy increased
over four quarters at a rate of 2,5 per cent, compared to a revised figure of
4,5 per cent in the previous quarter. For the year as a whole, unit labour cost
increased by 3,3 per cent, compared to 6,5 per cent in 2004. The latest Andrew
Levy Employment Publications report shows that wage settlements averaged 6,3
per cent in the first quarter of 2006.
These wage developments reflect to some extent entrenched expectations that
inflation will remain within the inflation target range. Further evidence of
this is contained in the latest inflation survey conducted by the Bureau for
Economic Research (BER) at the University of Stellenbosch. According to this
survey, all respondents expected inflation to decline further in the first
quarter of 2006. CPIX inflation expectations for 2006 declined from an average
of 5,2 per cent in the fourth quarter of last year to an average of 4,4 per
cent in the first quarter of 2006. When expectations regarding 2006 were
recorded in the first quarter of 2004, the expected average inflation rate was
6,4 per cent. According to the survey, CPIX inflation is expected to remain
below 5 per cent over the forecast period to the end of 2008. Inflation
expectations as indicated in the long-term break-even inflation rates, measured
as the yield differential between conventional bonds and inflation-linked
bonds, also continue to reflect expectations that inflation will remain within
the inflation target range.
The exchange rate of the rand fluctuated somewhat in the period since the
last MPC meeting. In line with emerging-market and commodity currencies, the
rand depreciated against the US dollar, reaching a level of almost R6,40 in the
third week of March. Thereafter it appreciated, and in early April it briefly
fell below the R6,00 to the US dollar level, before settling at its current
level of around R6,12. This is similar to the level prevailing at the last MPC
meeting. On a trade-weighted basis, the rand has not changed much since the
last meeting, but has appreciated by around two per cent since the beginning of
the year. The reasons for these movements include changes in the exchange rate
of the US dollar against the euro; changes in investor sentiment towards
emerging markets; and continued inflows to the domestic foreign exchange
market. In addition, strong commodity price movements, in particular gold and
platinum prices, have generally supported the exchange rate of the rand.
Fiscal policy is expected to remain supportive of monetary policy, with a
moderate deficit of 1,5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) forecast for
the 2006/07 fiscal year. Higher than expected tax revenue collection in the
past financial year resulted in a revised estimated deficit of 0,5 per cent of
GDP, compared to an initial estimate of 3,1 per cent.
South Africaâs GDP growth, although still robust, has shown some signs of
moderation in the past few months to levels more in line with potential output.
Growth in 2005 measured 4,9 per cent, the highest growth rate since the early
1980s. However by the fourth quarter of last year, the quarterly annualised
growth rate had declined to 3,3 per cent, mainly due to a contraction in the
mining sector and a slowdown in the manufacturing sector. Indications are that
both manufacturing and mining real growth remain under pressure in the first
quarter of 2006. Overall business confidence nevertheless remains high: for
example in the latest RMB/BER Business Confidence Index which shows that the
index is marginally below the record high measured in late 2004.
Despite the positive elements in the inflation outlook, there are a number
of significant risks, all of which are seen to be on the upside. Consumer
demand continues to grow at a brisk pace and shows few signs of abating. In
2005 household consumption expenditure grew by 6,9 per cent. Similar levels of
growth have been recorded since the middle of 2003 when nominal interest rates
began to decline. The latest FNB/BER consumer confidence index for the first
quarter of 2006 surpassed its previous high in the previous quarter. Growth in
motor vehicles sales has moderated slightly, but the levels are still high.
Consumer demand is also underpinned by wealth effects arising from strong asset
price growth. Prices on the JSE Securities Exchange continued to reach new
highs, and according to the ABSA house price index, house prices also continued
to increase, although at a slower year-on-year rate of 13,7 per cent in
March.
Growth in credit extension to the private sector reflects the increase in
consumer expenditure. Growth over twelve months in total loans and advances
accelerated from 21,3 per cent in December 2005 to 22,2 per cent in February
2006. Asset backed credit growth accelerated from 25,5 per cent to 27 per cent
over the same period. These developments have, amongst others, contributed to a
further decline in gross national savings to 13 per cent of GDP, and an
increase in household indebtedness: the ratio of household debt to disposable
income had risen to just below 66 per cent in the final quarter of 2005. The
cost of servicing this debt, while still low, nevertheless increased from 6¾
per cent of disposable income in the third quarter of 2005 to seven per cent in
the fourth quarter.
Developments on the current account of the balance of payments are becoming
an increasing source of concern to the MPC. The current account deficit as a
percentage of GDP averaged 4,2 per cent in 2005, compared to 3,4 per cent in
2004. In the fourth quarter, the deficit had risen to 4,5 per cent of GDP,
despite a contraction in the trade deficit during this period. This was due to
increased interest and dividend payments, an inevitable consequence of
increased capital inflows. As noted in previous statements, current account
deficits are a reflection of higher domestic expenditure and are not in
themselves inflationary. There is however a possible risk to the exchange rate
if the deficits are perceived to be unsustainable, particularly if the deficits
are reflecting higher consumption expenditure. To date the deficits have been
more than financed by capital inflows which in turn are being attracted in part
by the improved growth prospects in the economy. These inflows enabled the Bank
to further increase its holdings of foreign exchange reserves. By the end of
March, official gross foreign exchange reserves had increased to US$23 billion,
while the international liquidity position had increased to US$19,5
billion.
International factors also pose a risk to the inflation and interest rate
outlook. In February the price of Brent crude fell to around US$55 per barrel.
This respite was short-lived, and as a result of renewed geopolitical tensions
and tight demand and supply conditions, international oil prices have risen
significantly. Brent crude is currently trading at levels of almost US$70 per
barrel. The price of 93 octane petrol increased by R0,22 per litre in April,
which more than offset the R0,11 per litre decline in March. Currently the
under-recovery on the petrol price is averaging around R0,30 per litre.
Monetary Policy Stance
The MPC perceives the risks to inflation to be on the upside. In particular,
the MPC is mindful of the threats posed by strong credit extension, consumer
demand, the widening current account deficit and rising international oil
prices. Nevertheless, given the benign inflation outlook at present, and having
considered all the relevant factors, the Committee has decided to keep the repo
rate unchanged at seven per cent per annum.
Contact Person: Cathy Powers
Tel: (012) 313 4420
E-mail: Cathy.Powers@resbank.co.za
Issued by: SA Reserve Bank
13 April 2006
Source: SA Reserve Bank (http://www.reservebank.co.za)
