Market Update: Central Banks Navigate Divergent Paths as Rate Cycle Turns
September was an eventful month for central banks. The long-awaited rate-cutting cycle finally got underway in the US, but back home, the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) surprised markets by holding rates steady. These diverging paths tell us a lot about the economic dynamics driving these economies. They also hint at the differing degrees of […]
Market Update: SA Equities Sail Through 30% Tariff Storm
When President Trump’s 30% tariffs on South African goods took effect on 1 August, many analysts braced for a market meltdown. Instead, the JSE All-Share Index hardly moved on the day and went on to climb from around 98 500 to 101 859 at the time of writing – a solid 3.5% gain during the […]
Market Update: Do SA Investors Know Something Foreigners Don’t?
While President Trump’s unpredictable trade policies are continuing to create global market volatility, emerging market equities have attracted attention this year as investors embrace them as a welcome diversifier from the uncertainty and volatility of US-centric investments. The MSCI Emerging Market equity index is up almost 18% year-to-date, with foreign investors pouring money into India, […]
Market Update: Amid Trump Turmoil, Diversification is the New Safe Haven
“The only certainty is that nothing is certain.” (Pliny the Elder) For decades, US Treasuries (government bonds) and the US dollar have been the world’s primary safe-haven assets. Investors have been able to rely on them to hold their value due to America’s status as the world’s leading democracy, with deep, liquid markets and a […]
Market Update: Tariffs, Tariffs, More Darn Tariffs
Since returning to office in January 2025, President Donald Trump has implemented a sweeping series of tariff measures – the latest of which is a 30% tariff on South African exports to the US. These decisions have sent shockwaves throughout the global economy and created significant market uncertainty. At the latest SA Reserve Bank meeting, […]
Market Update | SA and Europe Outpace the US Stock Market
Europe and South Africa have turned the tables on the US stock market, outperforming them in February and year-to-date due to signs of a slowing US economy, trade policy uncertainty and a rotation out of tech stocks. Trump-related investor optimism has dissipated, leaving the US stock market in the red since he took office. While […]
Market Update: Trump 2.0 – A Bumpy Ride so Far
January has been a volatile month for global and SA equities. Stock markets experienced a “Trump bump” after his inauguration on January 20, driven by expectations of market-friendly policies. However, equities retreated to end the month with modest gains as investors weighed tariff uncertainties, shifting interest rate expectations, and growing concerns about the sustainability of […]
Market Update: Expect the Unexpected in 2025 – And Plan for it
2024’s rally sets a high bar to beat The S&P 500 last year experienced its best two-year stretch since 1998, surging 23% in 2024 alone and breaking above 6,000 points. However, momentum slowed considerably in the final quarter as Trump’s election victory and a more hawkish interest rate outlook introduced new uncertainties to the world […]
Market Update: The Good, Bad and Ugly of Trump’s Return
While initial enthusiasm surrounding Trump’s likely market-friendly economic policies drove the S&P 500 index above 6,000 points for the first time, investors are now carefully weighing the opportunities and risks ahead. South Africa’s JSE All Share Index fell behind, moving sideways during the month. Treasury pick calms some market nerves Markets generally welcomed Trump’s selection […]
Market Update: Reasons for SA Investors to Be Hopeful?
Stock markets took a breather in the second half of October in anticipation of the US elections. The S&P 500 flattened out in the second half of October, leaving it less than 1% higher for the month, while the SA All Share Index gained 0.5%. Both markets have, however, notched up healthy double-digit gains for […]
