Chart History

Energy prices... a growing burden for SA companies

The impact of energy prices, especially companies, has been increasingly negative, particularly after surges in electricity and petrol prices forced several SA businesses to cut back on production or employment.

Cautiously optimistic: SA media's present and future economic outlook

As the recession blues seem to subside, future forecasts of the economy improved. IT, Retail and Bharti's expected deal with MTN lifted the spirits. in the third quarter.

Elections herald greater pressure on mining industry

The elections heralded greater governmental pressure on the mining industry which is evidenced by declining relations; Zuma split the minerals and energy portfolio in a bid to give more focus to the issues facing each industry, stating that mining companies were not doing enough to ensure that more people reap the benefits of the mining activities.

Banking industry struggling to make a recovery

Mining and banking followed a similar trajectory and ended 2008 at a low of -52% & -26% respectively; the release of the full report by the competition commission in Dec dealt a blow to the banking industry as it indicated that in many instances banks maximize profit to the detriment of the consumer.

Banking and mining facing media scrutiny

Basis: 130 933 statements in SA media, January 2007 - December 2008

While 2008 saw an improvement in the tone of reporting on energy; mining and banking followed a similar downward trajectory and ended the year at a low of -35%; the release of the full report by the competition commission in December dealt a blow to the banking industry as it indicated that in many instances banks maximize profit to the detriment of the consumer. Is a recovery of media sentiment for both the mining and banking industries a possibility in 2009 ?