Breaking News Today – Tuesday 27 January 2026

Business News Today 

Rand Rally Continues on Commodity Uptick

The South African rand continued to strengthen to reach below 16 per USD briefly this morning, the best level since June 2022, driven by record prices for key exports including gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. The currency has risen by more than 3% against the dollar since the start of 2026, building on strong gains from 2025, and helped by positive domestic developments such as improved ratings due to better financial controls. Meanwhile, the South African Reserve Bank’s is set to announce its first decision of the year this Thursday (29 January), a day after the US Federal Reserves rate meeting, which is widely expected to keep rates unchanged.

Markets anticipate that the SARB will also keep rates unchanged following a cut in November 2025, with a further reduction possible in March if inflation data warrants. A Reuters poll indicated that 18 of 26 analysts foresee steady rates, while eight expect a 25 basis point cut to 6.5%. The consensus view among economists seems to be that the rand will continue to appreciate. the local Inflation rate inched up to 3.6% in December 2025 from 3.5% in November, still above the SARB’s new 3% target.

Meta Moves Toward Paid Subscriptions

As part of its effort to diversify revenue beyond ads, which still dominate about 97% of current income streams, Meta(Meta Platforms), is planning to test and roll out new premium subscription options across its core apps: Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Meta plans to test new subscriptions that give people access to exclusive features on it apps. Meta will introduce paid “premium experiences” in the coming months, offering exclusive features, enhanced productivity/creative tools, expanded AI capabilities, and more control over sharing/connecting. Core app usage remains free and nothing is being locked behind paywalls for basic access, ads, or standard functionality. Meta also shared that it plans to scale Manus, Their Ai Agent platform the company recently acquired as part of its Meta subscription plans. Rollout starts in the coming months (likely Q1-Q2 2026), beginning with tests. Meta emphasized gathering user feedback and keeping core experiences free to avoid backlash.

Chinese Stocks Take a Knock

The Shanghai Composite fell 0.5% to below 4,120, while the Shenzhen Component dropped 0.7% to 12,216 on Tuesday, extending losses from the previous session as the absence of fresh catalysts weighed on investor sentiment in the mainland. Traders also continued to grapple with tightening regulatory oversight after authorities targeted market manipulators and high-frequency trading, while raising margin requirements as part of a broader effort to limit capital market risks. On the macro front, China’s industrial profits rose 0.6% year-on-year in 2025, driven by private and foreign-invested companies, while state-owned firms continued to face pressure. 

Breaking News Shorts:  

• The yield on the US 10-year Treasury note steadied around 4.22% this morning, after declining in recent sessions, as investors prepared for the Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy decision, where rates are widely expected to remain unchanged. 
• Profits at China’s industrial firms rose 0.6% yoy to CNY 7.40 billion in 2025, accelerating from a 0.1% gain in the first 11 months. The growth was driven by private firms, where profits steadied after a prior 0.1% drop, and by foreign-invested companies, particularly those from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, whose profits grew more quickly (4.2% vs 2.4%). Profits at state-owned firms remained under pressure with a negative -3.9% vs -1.6%.
• Gold prices climbed more than 1.2% to around $5,074 per ounce today, having hit an all-time peak above $5,100 yesterday, driven by strong haven demand amid rising trade and geopolitical tensions. Investor attention now turns to the US Federal Reserve’s two-day policy meeting, which begins today.
• Silver surged more than 6% to above $110 per ounce this morning, extending its record run as geopolitical and trade risks, along with investor flight from sovereign bonds and currencies, boosted safe-haven demand for precious metals.
• Copper futures dropped by -2% to $5.9 per pound in early trade today, ending a three-day rally as rising inventories in China signalled weakening demand in the world’s largest metals consumer. Data showed copper stockpiles in Shanghai Futures Exchange warehouses climbed last week to a record seasonal high.

Markets by Numbers 

Currency markets indicate the US dollar trading losing more traction today, with the Euro trading against the US dollar at 1.18723 while the Pound is trading at 1.36714 to the US dollar. The Yen is currently trading at 154.59 to the dollar. The rand (ZAR) is currently trading at around R16.02 to the dollar.

Commodities:  

• Gold futures have climbed by 1% this morning after hitting a fresh high above $5074 earlier today, and currently trading at around $5065.00 per ounce.  
• Copper prices are slipping today, down over -2.4%, with prices currently around $58.725 per pound
• Silver futures continue their upward trend, up over 4% today, and currently trading around $108.46 per ounce.
• Platinum futures have corrected rapidly from record highs and down by over -8% this morning, and currently trading at $2645.20, While Palladium prices have plummeted by around -10% this morning, and currently trading around $1971.00 per ounce.
• Brent crude oil prices are trending softer today, and currently at $65.15 with WTI trading lower at $60.23
• Cocoa futures have found some upward momentum today, and currently up 3.5% and trading around $4348 per ton. 
• Coffee futures are currently trending flat today, and trading at around $3.5144 per pound

Crypto Currencies: 

• Bitcoin prices are trending upwards this morning, and trading at around $88420 per coin currently 
• Ether prices are trending higher, and are currently trading around $2933.46
• $Trumpcoin are trending lower today, and currently trading around $4.788

(All prices quoted at approximately 07H30 Central African Time) 

Africa News Briefs:

• Several Nigerian military officers will stand trial for allegedly plotting to overthrow the Nigerian nation’s government, according to the Nigeria Defense Headquarters, citing findings from an investigative panel. At least 16 officers were arrested in October over what military authorities described as “acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.” An investigation into the officers’ conduct was concluded and revealed a coup plot against President Bola Tinubu‘s government, Samaila Uba, Nigerian military spokesman said in a statement.
• Egypt’s Parliament is looking into ways to regulate children’s use of social media platforms to combat what lawmakers called “digital chaos,” following some western countries that are considering banning young teenagers from social media. An AP report said the House of Representatives released a statement, that it will work on a legislation to regulate children’s use of social media and “put an end to the digital chaos our children are facing, and which negatively impacts their future.”