Nedbank First-Half Net Rose 42 Percent as It Boosted Corporate Lending

(Bloomberg) -- Nedbank Group Ltd., South Africa's
fourth-biggest bank, said first-half profit rose 42 percent,
boosted by gains in corporate lending. The company expects 2007
earnings to increase by as much as 33 percent.

Net income in the six months to June 30 advanced to
2.78 billion rand ($389 million), or 7.05 rand a share, from
1.95 billion rand, or 5.77 rand, a year earlier, the Johannesburg-
based company said in a statement today. Annual profit-per share
will rise 22 percent to 33 percent, it said.


Read more at Bloomberg Emerging Markets News

S. African Rand Gains in Week on Expectations Interest-Rate Gap to Widen

(Bloomberg) -- South Africa's rand advanced for a
fourth week, its best performance in almost a year versus the
dollar, on expectations the interest-rate gap with the U.S. will
widen.

The rand touched its highest in 11 months yesterday, buoyed
by expectations the Reserve Bank will keep raising borrowing
costs and on speculation the U.K.'s Standard Chartered Plc is in
talks to buy South Africa's Nedbank Group Ltd. The dollar held
near a record low against the euro on views slowing economic
growth will prevent the Federal Reserve from raising U.S. rates.


Read more at Bloomberg Currencies News

Rand Heads for Fourth Weekly Advance on Expectations Rate Gap Will Widen

(Bloomberg) -- South Africa's rand headed for a
fourth weekly gain, its best performance in almost a year versus
the dollar, on expectations the interest-rate gap with the U.S.
will widen.

The rand touched its highest in 11 months yesterday, buoyed
by expectations the Reserve Bank will keep raising borrowing
costs and on speculation the U.K.'s Standard Chartered Plc is in
talks to buy South Africa's Nedbank Group Ltd. The dollar held
near a record low against the euro on views slowing economic
growth will prevent the Federal Reserve from raising U.S. rates.


Read more at Bloomberg Currencies News