Unexpectedly positive economic data may see South Africa avoid recession

South Africa's manufacturing output rose more than expected in June while mining production shrank at a slower rate than market estimates, raising hopes the economy could fend off a recession and ratings downgrades to junk later in the year.

Manufacturing output rose 4.5 percent year-on-year in June and 0.7 percent on a monthly basis, while mining production fell 2.5 percent, smaller than the 4 percent contraction forecast by a Reuters poll of economists.