Research report, presented to the SBL, Unisa, Midrand / In the midst of a global recession, this study explored whether the act of obtaining motor vehicle finance has become more onerous since the implementation of the National Credit Act, 2005, (NCA), and to determine which variables are contributing to the phenomenon of declining motor finance figures. A quantitative research methodology was applied whereby a portion of the analysis was based on historical motor finance application data attained from a medium sized motor finance institution. Another portion considered survey data obtained from 152 South African consumers and 42 Credit Analysts collected by way of self administered questionnaires. Various statistical tools, including Independent Sample t-Tests and Pearson product-moment correlation tests were applied to the data. The results of the study indicate that the act of obtaining motor finance has indeed become more complex since the inception of the NCA. Of the variables tested, motor vehicle retail prices and general living costs were identified as the main impediments limiting the amount of motor finance granted in the South African motor finance sector.

Research report, presented to the SBL, Unisa, Midrand / In the midst of a global recession, this study explored whether the act of obtaining motor vehicle finance has become more onerous since the implementation of the National Credit Act, 2005, (NCA), and to determine which variables are contributing to the phenomenon of declining motor finance figures. A quantitative research methodology was applied whereby a portion of the analysis was based on historical motor finance application data attained from a medium sized motor finance institution. Another portion considered survey data obtained from 152 South African consumers and 42 Credit Analysts collected by way of self administered questionnaires. Various statistical tools, including Independent Sample t-Tests and Pearson product-moment correlation tests were applied to the data. The results of the study indicate that the act of obtaining motor finance has indeed become more complex since the inception of the NCA. Of the variables tested, motor vehicle retail prices and general living costs were identified as the main impediments limiting the amount of motor finance granted in the South African motor finance sector.

There exists significant literature investigating the link between macroeconomic variables and stock market returns. Most previous studies utilise an overall stock market index to measure stock market returns, thereby aggregating a number of different industries into a single index. This research investigated the link between macroeconomic variables and a single sector’s share returns, being the Resources sector. The aim was to ascertain whether or not a correlation exists between the Resource Index of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and four macroeconomic variables, namely: GDP, Inflation, Interest rates and the Rand/US Dollar Exchange Rate. Quarterly data for all 4 macroeconomic variables and the Resource Index was collected for the period 2002 to 2011 and tests of correlation performed between each macroeconomic variable and the Resource Index. The findings reveal that there is a positive correlation between GDP and resources share returns, a negative correlation between interest rates and resources share returns and a positive relationship between the Rand/US Dollar Exchange rate and resources share returns. The relationship between the inflation and the resource share returns proved inconclusive.Copyright / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Notes: i) the terms "lessee" and "tenant" are used alternatively, the latter only when quoted ii) the terms "lessor" and "landlord" are used alternatively, the latter only when quoted / The research intends to assess the availability of information to determine the contribution of turnover rent to lessor revenue as the publicly available information on building performance, and in specific turnover rent, is not adequate to answer the research problem. Academic, legal and accounting sources are consulted and referenced as background on turnover rent. Limitations applicable to the study is noted. A content analysis of published financial statements analyses the application of the prevailing accounting standards in the real estate sector and assesses to what extent information is available to determine the contribution of turnover rent to lessor revenue. Disclosure was found to be inconsistent and inadequate to calculate the contribution to lessor revenue and to assess individual building performance. With relevant building performance data of a large retail centre sourced from an asset manager, the contribution of turnover rent to lessor revenue was calculated for a period of eight years as part of a retail centre case study. With information available, but not disclosed, it is recommended that the IASB considers additional disclosure for listed real estate entities to enable stakeholders to assess individual building performance. Further recommendations are made in this study. The building performance indicators were further compared to relevant economic indicators. The results of this analysis indicates an indirect correlation between the prime interest rate and three building performance indicators being lessee turnover, total rent collected and centre foot-count. This confirms the strong reliance of the South African retail sector on credit sales. / Financial Accounting / M. Ph. (Accounting Sciences)