| The Reserve Bank's monetary policy committee erred on the side of caution yesterday, leaving interest rates unchanged despite the rate of inflation declining to an eight-year low and a weaker growth outlook. The vote was split, however, with two members of the five-member committee pushing for a cut. Although it found risks to the inflation outlook to be reasonably balanced, governor Lesetja Kganyago said uncertainty about inflation risks was unusually high. One risk that could result in a weaker rand and accelerating prices is the country's credit rating. Standard & Poor's is expected to revise its outlook on SA to negative tonight, which would make us vulnerable to a further downgrade by the ratings agency. Despite heightened local uncertainty, it was Investec's UK bank that weighed on the group's first-half results as it prepares to hive off its asset management business and list it separately. More on those numbers in your final newsletter for the week, along with interim results from Mr Price that were held back by its apparel division. Meanwhile, Brait's shares rallied after it said it was making progress with a debt restructuring. But Stefanutti Stocks fell sharply after it warned it would report a big loss as it battles with a big public sector contract. Finally, if you are looking for an alternative investment, Uprise is South Africa's first and only regulated equity crowdfunding platform, providing an innovative space for capital raising and small business investment. The platform is disrupting the traditional funding landscape by providing an alternative, democratic method for businesses to raise capital, thus making the funding landscape more accessible to both entrepreneurs and investors. Follow this link to find out more about Sun Exchange, the world's first peer-to-peer solar leasing platform that was identified and selected by Uprise.Africa and Bridge Capital. I hope have a good weekend. Stephen Gunnion Managing Editor, InceConnect
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