IN BRIEF (Page 17)

SA confidence falls

Confidence in South Africa's economy was lower in December as analysts predicted interest rates will start rising in late 2010 and economic growth will slow slightly in the fourth quarter.

Africa's largest economy exited a recession in the third quarter of 2009, its first slump in almost two decades, but its recovery is expected to be moderate. The Reuters Econometer, an index of six weighted indicators that looks two years on, yesterday fell to 231.91 in December compared with 235.89 in November.