AA predicts fuel prices hike come month-end

Automobile Association (AA) have predicted fuel price hike of about 35 cents a litre for petrol, 68 cents for diesel, and 63 cents for illuminating paraffin at the end of the month.

AA was commenting on unaudited mid-month fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund.

Oil’s recent price advances slowed in the first half of July, putting a ceiling on potential fuel price increases as the rand traded mostly flat against the US dollar.

The current data points to fuel price rises at month-end for all types of fuel.

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“This will still leave our fuel prices below their pre-lockdown highs notwithstanding the rand currently being pegged about two rand weaker to the dollar than it was then. Despite our cautious optimism that stability is creeping back into the market, we still advise motorists to expect further fuel price rises in the short term,” the AA says.

The association notes that oil climbed slightly in the first few days of July, accounting for the bulk of this month’s increase to date.

“In the past 10 days, though, oil has been priced in a narrower band, and we believe this might represent a more stable price plateau as the world oil market continues to rebound from the dramatic price plunges of April,” says the AA.

The association notes that the rand, too, has been unusually stable over the past month.

“Since June 19, the local currency has traded in a daily band between R16.40 and its current level of around R16.80 to the dollar, which is a narrow range by comparison to what we have seen since March. It seems that there was some rand over-reaction to much of the bad news – both globally and domestically – over the past three months. We’re hopeful the correction will continue towards more optimistic valuation levels,” the AA concludes.