Load shedding impact revealed by weaker GDP (#531)

Simon Shares

• The local Q4 GDP came in at -1.3%, worse than expected -0.4% and shows the real pain of load shedding and Transnet issues. Q1 2023 not expected to be any better. Every set of results mentions load shedding and retailers are spending ±R1billion a year on diesel.
• Rand is looking weak, very weak.
• Grindrod (JSE code: GND) had good results and are clearly benefiting from the failure of Transnet ports.
• Bank results are looking good with Firstrand (JSE code: FSR) very strong and Nedbank (JSE code: NED) good and doing a R5billion share buy back.