Morocco’s Budget Deficit Reaches $3bn in August

 Morocco recorded a budget deficit of 30.4 billion dirhams by late August 2022. (Reuters)
Morocco recorded a budget deficit of 30.4 billion dirhams by late August 2022. (Reuters)
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Morocco’s Budget Deficit Reaches $3bn in August

 Morocco recorded a budget deficit of 30.4 billion dirhams by late August 2022. (Reuters)
Morocco recorded a budget deficit of 30.4 billion dirhams by late August 2022. (Reuters)

Morocco’s Ministry of Economy and Finance said Monday that the situation of the Moroccan Treasury's expenses and resources indicated a budget deficit of 30.4 billion dirhams ($3 billion) by August 31, against 43.3 billion dirhams ($4.3 billion) a year earlier.

Also, tax revenues showed a good overall performance, with an increase of 19.8%, recording a realization rate of 75.1% despite the increase in refunds, rebates and tax refunds, which have amounted to 9.4 billion dirhams.

The non-tax revenues amounted to nearly 23.4 billion dirhams.

Revenues from public institutions and companies reached 7.1 billion dirhams, including four billion dirhams paid by OCP Group, 2.2 billion dirhams by the National Agency of Land Conservation, Cadaster and Cartography (ANCFCC) and 505 million dirhams by Bank Al-Maghrib.

The other revenues amounted to 16.3 million dirhams, including 10.2 million dirhams from innovative financing.

Expenditure on goods and services also increased by 1.9 billion dirhams for “other goods and services” and 3.3 billion dirhams for personnel costs.

Interest on debt rose by 940 million dirhams to 23.4 million dirhams, reflecting an increase in interest on domestic debt (+1 million dirhams) and a slight decline in interest on foreign debt (-61 million dirhams).



Gold Steady as Focus Shifts to US Data for Economic Cues

Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
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Gold Steady as Focus Shifts to US Data for Economic Cues

Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)

Gold prices were little changed on Monday, while investors awaited a slew of US economic data including the December nonfarm payrolls report for further guidance on the Federal Reserve's stance on interest rates.
Spot gold held its ground at $2,635.39 per ounce by 0510 GMT. US gold futures dropped 0.2% to $2,646.80.
How the US jobs data fares this week could hold the key to whether gold breaks out of its recent range, said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.
"There is a plethora of US data due for release this week (including ISM Services PMI data), and any downside misses could hurt the USD and help gold."
The US jobs report, due on Friday, is expected to provide more clues to the Fed's rate outlook after the US central bank rattled markets last month by reducing its projected cuts for 2025.
Investors are also awaiting ADP hiring and job openings data, as well as minutes of the Fed's last policy meeting for further direction.
Gold flourishes in a low-interest-rate environment and serves as a hedge against geopolitical uncertainties and inflation.
US President-elect Donald Trump is set to return to office on Jan. 20 and his proposed tariffs and protectionist policies are expected to fuel inflation.
This could prompt the Fed to go slow on rate cuts, limiting gold's upside. After three rate cuts in 2024, the Fed has projected only two reductions for 2025 due to persistent inflation.
The US central bank's benchmark policy rate should stay restrictive until it is more certain that inflation is returning to its 2% target, Richmond Federal Reserve President Thomas Barkin said on Friday.
Spot silver was down 0.2% at $29.57 per ounce, platinum dipped 0.7% to $931.30 and palladium fell 0.4% to $918.22.