South Africa Business Sentiment Remains Stable at Near Three-Year High

The RMB/BER business confidence index in South Africa held steady at 45 in Q1 2025, the highest in nearly three years, despite four out of five sectors experiencing a decline in confidence. Notably, new vehicle dealers showed a significant increase, helping to balance the overall sentiment.

The RMB/BER business confidence index in South Africa maintained stability at a score of 45 in the first quarter of 2025. This represents the highest level recorded in nearly three years, following a series of three consecutive increases. This index reading is marginally above the long-term average of 43, demonstrating a significant improvement compared to the previous year’s sentiment levels.

Despite the overall positive trend, it is noteworthy that four out of five sectors reported a decrease in confidence when compared to the fourth quarter of 2024. This decline raises concerns regarding the broader business landscape. However, the new vehicle dealers’ sector experienced a remarkable 29-point increase in confidence, which notably mitigated the downturn experienced in other sectors.

In conclusion, while the RMB/BER business confidence index reflects a near three-year high, concerns remain as a majority of sectors reported declining confidence. The substantial gain in the new vehicle dealers sector, however, offers a glimmer of optimism amidst the overall mixed sentiment in the business environment.

Original Source: www.tradingview.com