Global Risk Assets ended the year on a high note: Emerging Markets saw their best returns since 2009, while US equities consolidate their excellent year-to-date performance. Resurgent oil prices and the energy sector led overall sectoral gains. Macro-economic and inflationary data supported a view that during 2018 global monetary policies would produce few surprises. South African investors were cheered by a change in the ruling party’s leadership, although the stock market was dragged down by the Steinhoff scandal. The Rand, in line with Emerging Market peers, posted considerable gains against the USD, and local fixed income assets rallied.

Here are this month’s highlights: Cash still well-ahead of inflation, SA Bonds continue to fall, while SA Property sustains its uptick from October. Looking ahead, the ANC’s elective conference will grab the headlines in December, and the importance of transparent and clear thinking by economic decision-makers in 2018 cannot be overstated. November carried hope and high expectations for the global investor and a weak USD continued to provide a boost for multinational companies.

Here are this month’s highlights: Developed and Emerging market equities ticked up during October, with South African equities outperforming global peers. The Rand and SA government bonds remained under pressure as fiscal slippage and domestic politics weighed on the local markets. Strong earnings, and tech sector gains led international markets higher, but investors will keep a close eye on Brexit negotiations and tax reform progress toward year-end.

Market View Cash June saw a further moderation in inflation. The Consumer Price Index hit 5.1% and Producer Price Index inflation fell well below expectations to 4% year-on-year for the…

Market View Cash May saw a modest uptick in inflation, with Consumer Price Index (CPI) lifting slightly to 5.4% from 5.3% in April. The increase has largely been attributed to…

Market View Cash Inflation continued to trend lower in April 2017 with the index registering a 16-month low of 5.3%, down 0.8%. Improvement in agricultural prospects and pump-prices saw a…

Market View Cash The latest inflation data indicates a continued downtrend in local price-increases as March CPI eased to a six-month low of 6.1%. The South African Reserve Bank anticipates…