Markets will be keeping an eye on three key data points this week: consumer inflation and retail sales data on Wednesday (19 August), and wholesale trade data on Thursday.

However, other data will also be coming this week, with Stats SA’s returning insolvencies data being published on Tuesday, giving an indicator of the health of the business environment.

South Africa’s headline inflation is expected to ease when Stats SA reports it next week, helped by a sizeable petrol price cut in July.

Stats SA will publish the latest inflation data for July 2026 on Wednesday, 19 August, with economists anticipating a cooler figure.

Projections are for inflation to be between 4.3% y/y and 4.8% y/y, down from 5.0% y/y in June.

For retail sales, economists expect the figure to pick up from 2.3% in May to 2.5% in June, supported by a low base.

Looking at global markets, more ships have come under attack in the Strait of Hormuz as talks to end the war in the Middle East remain stalled.

The United States is now readying new economic measures to force Iran to capitulate.

The Strait, through which a fifth of the world’s oil and gas transited before the war, has emerged as a key sticking point in negotiations to bring a lasting end to almost six months of fighting.

The US is adamant free passage along the route linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea should be restored, but Iran insists it will retain control.

US President Donald Trump made flippant comments about “declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States,” but is struggling to find an off-ramp to the war that he started.

Volatility in the Middle East extends beyond the US-Iran conflict.

Israel continues to clash with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and Hamas operatives in Gaza, while the Houthis have attacked ships in the Red Sea. All three groups are backed by Iran.

The conflicts have led to turmoil in global markets, especially the oil price, which has had a heavy impact on fuel prices, including in South Africa.

As things stand, oil is currently trading at $88 a barrel, with analysts anticipating it sticking to a $80-$90 range for as long as the war continues.

The rand has maintained its resilience, trading at R16.17/$, amid stronger local fundamentals and a softer dollar.

Source: https://businesstech.co.za/news/5-things/870396/south-africa-has-something-the-united-states-wants-and-secret-mafia-exploiting-collapsing-services/