Finance Calculator More Muscle A closer look at LeisureNet reveals surprising market strength. Internet Edge Young entrepreneurs scramble onto the Web, but few are hitting the spot. David Bullard No room for melanistically disadvanaged musicians. Stephen Mulholland Syrian debacle shows up incoherent foreign policy.

Sunday, 19 January 1997 Stals sees profit in caution as rand climbs By SVEN LUNSCHE RESERVE Bank Governor Dr Chris Stals is a cautious man. This week he predicted economic growth of a mere 2% this year, on the conservative side of forecasts by mainstream economists. However, Stals shared the consensus emerging on upbeat financial markets that the rand should stabilise this year. On Friday the rand rallied to its best level against the US dollar since early December. More significantly for consumers, Stals held out the prospect of lower interest rates if his tough action of the past few months achieves its desired effect - a slowdown in credit demand and money supply. Green light for SAA Boeing deal By Roger Makings SA AIRWAYS will go ahead with the controversial multi-billion rand purchase of Boeing aircraft, the first of which are due for delivery in May and October next year. Although details and numbers have yet to be finalised, Zukile Nomvete, Transnet executive director responsible for SAA, confirmed this week that the airline would buy two Boeing 747-400s and several Boeing 777s. Fiat, Nissan get behind wheel By Don Robertson FIAT of Italy and Nissan of Japan are expected to pump millions into Automakers, the holding company of Nissan SA. Ahead of next week's official announcement, Nissan SA refuses to be drawn on the reasons for a cautionary notice issued to shareholders, but sources believe that Nissan Japan will buy a portion of the stake in Automakers held by Sanlam's investment arm Sankorp. Get graph-ting Stock IXCHANGE is Windows software that displays graphs of shares, unit trusts and other financial instruments. Simply click on the logo and the relevant graph will appear. But first you'll need to download Stock IXCHANGE Lite to use this service What's New? Try our new finance calculator to determine the size loan that you can afford or what the monthly repayments will be on that new purchase. Our new Money Guides section is packed with useful information and tips covering personal finance matters. Times Media Limited disclaims all liability for any loss, damage, injury or expense however caused, arising from the use of or reliance upon, in any manner, the information provided through this service and does not warrant the truth, accuracy or completeness of the information provided. © Times Media Ltd, 1996 Full Site Index Stals sees profit in caution as rand climbs Green light for SAA Boeing deal BUSINESS DIGEST Surge in Eurorand Outlook poor unless State wakes up fast Manuel on track to achieve Budget target THE WEEK AHEAD Rivalry puts the brakes on motor industry profitability Cloth trade wearing thin as jobs and profits falls Internet kids crowd the net, but few see the chips turn to gold Emerging market funds skid off SA's rocky track Sun International faces tough odds as gambling is levelled Closer look at LeisureNet exposes more than a little muscle Gold Fields results show up sick Northam PC-pioneer Mustek heads for the JSE slipstream Mineral rights deal lifts Vaal Reefs COMPANY DIGEST Fiat, Nissan get behind wheel TML in talks to buy media rival's stake in Sowetan NEC maintains status quo after first strategy think-tank Well fed and growing fast on the back of corporate demand IT shares make the running in a week of heavy trading London stocks power to record close Robocop's got nothing on the new Receiver Polygraphs give the lie to poker-faced conmen UNIT TRUSTS:Unit Trusts: Fleming Martin Acorn Growth Budgeting's a bind, but it pays dividends Making sense of the tax amnesty A will could be your shrewdest investment Taxing times for small firms as the government fiddles Working from home: do pros outweigh cons Adding the finishing touches to interior solution Jet-piloting Persetel chief celebrates blue-sky deal People on the Move 1 People on the Move 2 People on the Move 3 People on the Move 4 Nothing this week BRIEFCASE DAVID BULLARD: No room for melanistically disadvantaged musicians STEPHEN MULHOLLAND Syrian debacle shows up incoherent foreign policy Nothing this week