{"id":68539,"date":"2019-10-18T13:11:10","date_gmt":"2019-10-18T11:11:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/?p=68539"},"modified":"2026-01-29T15:56:30","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T13:56:30","slug":"how-to-protect-your-business-against-rand-volatility","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/how-to-protect-your-business-against-rand-volatility\/","title":{"rendered":"How to protect your business against rand volatility"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--generic\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/category\/money-matters\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">Money Matters<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHow to protect your business against rand volatility\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2019-10-18T13:11:10+02:00\">Oct 18, 2019<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"How to protect your business against rand volatility\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/how-to-protect-your-business-against-rand-volatility\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/header>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/author\/vireshharduth\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/04\/Viresh-Harduth-Sage-2-350x350.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Viresh Harduth<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Changes in the value of the rand impact all businesses. The fact that we live in an emerging market means currency volatility will be around for the foreseeable future. We can\u2019t do much about it, but there are measures you can take to better manage fluctuations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, it\u2019s important to understand how currency movements impact your revenues and profits. As the rand strengthens or weakens, it will inevitably impact your profit margin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, imported goods will naturally become more expensive as the rand weakens and cheaper as it gets stronger. As basic as that sounds, it\u2019s just one implication that a changing rand value could have on your business. Others include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your imported products becoming too expensive for your customers, who might opt for cheaper local substitutes, if the rand weakens.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A change in the value of the rand could also catch you by surprise if you\u2019ve used credit to import from overseas suppliers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>On the plus side, if the rand falls and you\u2019ve already purchased stock, you could benefit from a boost in revenue. Alternatively, you could lower your prices and remain competitive \u2013 especially if competitors ordered stock after the currency dropped.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-boost-for-exporters\"><strong>A boost for exporters<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A fluctuating rand can be incredibly beneficial to exporters because South Africa forms part of the global economy. <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/news-release\/2019\/07\/03\/1877824\/0\/en\/Political-Uncertainty-Impeding-International-Trade-New-Sage-Study-Finds.html\">We Power the Nation<\/a><\/em>, an independent survey commissioned by Sage, shows that 55% of South African businesses have exported goods in the last 12 months, while 69% have imported goods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A drop in the rand\u2019s value means exporters can consistently bring in revenue in stronger foreign currencies like the dollar or pound, while still paying costs like rent, utilities, and labour in rands. However, businesses shouldn\u2019t let their standards drop in response to a weaker rand because this could hurt their competitiveness should the rand suddenly strengthen. It\u2019s also important to account for international input costs like transport and marketing when the rand fluctuates. Your cash flow should ideally be able to accommodate 10-15% fluctuations in the value of the rand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The impact of a volatile currency isn\u2019t limited to just importers and exporters:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Maintaining equipment can be particularly costly when the rand falls, especially if the equipment was brought in from overseas. The cost of shipping new parts is highly dependent on the value of the rand. Monthly subscription costs for international services, like cloud software, are also impacted by currency changes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A weaker rand usually means higher petrol prices and higher costs for goods and services. Bigger businesses can absorb these increases but they can be crippling for smaller companies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Higher fuel costs also impact consumers, who will have less disposable income and will have to cut costs. This in turn hurts small business and the economy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Currency volatility may also scare off foreign investors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-steps-to-protect-your-business\"><strong>Steps to protect your business<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><mark class=\"highlight-and-share\">Understanding the impact that a fluctuating rand has on your business lets you put contingencies in place to protect yourself<\/mark>. Here are some ideas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Currency hedging: <\/strong>Mitigate risks by entering contracts that let you manage the impact of changing currencies, like paying upfront for a 12-month subscription.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Choose the right payments provider: <\/strong>If you accept international credit card payments, find an account provider that offers the best currency conversions and transaction fees.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Increase exports: <\/strong>Take advantage of stronger international currencies by looking for opportunities to export your product, service, or skills.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Go local: <\/strong>Try to find suitable local substitutes for your imported goods or services.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Use forecasting and planning software: <\/strong>Your accounting software can provide insight into how changes in currency value have impacted on your profits and margins. Use these insights to plan for significant changes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>While currency fluctuations impact all businesses, it\u2019s not always bad. There are ways to compensate for a weaker rand and ways to mitigate the risks of a drop in value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Get your free 30-day Sage Business Cloud Accounting software trial to boost your business.<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Reduce time spent on admin by up to 80%<\/p>\n<p>Free yourself from admin with easy-to-use features, built around you. Ideal for entrepreneurs, start-ups, and growing businesses.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/sage-business-cloud\/accounting\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tid=\"cta-id-620\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-button-location=\"cta_box\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Sign Up<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1064\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/04\/GettyImages-619403886-1064x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"Small business accountant\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/04\/GettyImages-619403886-1064x810.jpg 1064w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Changes in the value of the rand impact all businesses. The fact that we live in an emerging market means currency volatility will be around for the foreseeable future. We can\u2019t do much about it, but there are measures you can take to better manage fluctuations. First, it\u2019s important to understand how currency movements impact [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":812,"featured_media":468,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sage_video":false,"post_featured_image_hide":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[188,189,339,209],"business_type":[2],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[],"persona":[15,16],"imagine_tag":[73,85],"coauthors":[413],"class_list":["post-68539","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-money-matters","tag-expenses","tag-financial-insights","tag-profit-loss","tag-staying-competitive","business_type-small-business"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-za","author_name":"Viresh Harduth","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/04\/GettyImages-503278812.jpg","imagine_tags":{"73":"Money Matters","85":"Small business"}},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Sage Advice South Africa","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68539","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/812"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=68539"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68539\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/468"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=68539"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=68539"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=68539"},{"taxonomy":"business_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/business_type?post=68539"},{"taxonomy":"lilypad","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/lilypad?post=68539"},{"taxonomy":"context","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/context?post=68539"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=68539"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=68539"},{"taxonomy":"imagine_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/imagine_tag?post=68539"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=68539"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}