Trading update : 5 December 2025
Strategic AI interests are shaping the geopolitical and business landscapes, driving focused investments and literal power plays. A growing, high-spending crypto-wealthy consumer segment is proving a tailwind for luxury retail, while global investors are finding value in UK equities while anticipating broader global equity growth outside the US, with a China a major beneficiary of sustained inflows. Locally, business sentiment is rebounding, and the retail sector is flashing positive signals.
Trading update : 29 August 2025
With reporting season in full swing in SA and abroad, markets remain fluid as companies report earnings and provide outlooks. Market volatility took centre stage as Nvidia stumbled on lofty expectations, while Fed Chair Powell’s dovish Jackson Hole comments sparked the strongest cross-asset rally since April. China’s trillion-dollar stock surge showing bubble warning signs and Trump’s tariff promising $4 trillion in deficit cuts added to the rollercoaster ride.
Trading update : 11 September 2025
All signs point to a Fed rate cut, from a looming payroll downgrade that could wipe nearly a million jobs off the books to Wall Street gearing up to take advantage. Globally, France is in political chaos, again, and China is teeing up fresh stimulus. Big tech isn’t slowing down either, with Microsoft cutting billion-dollar deals, Nvidia unveiling its next-gen AI engine, and Oracle stacking up cloud bookings at record pace.
Trading update : 8 September 2025
While the US is showing signs of a supportive environment for stocks (the AI theme remains strong) and business acquisitions, China continues to attract significant investor funds, with more growth on the horizon. Restructuring is also emerging as a strong theme as companies look to downsize and right-size to unlock value and support growth.
Trading update : 1 August 2025
Samsung’s $16.5 billion AI chip deal with Tesla sparked a jump in tech stocks, with semis leading the charge. In contrast, beer brewers and Whirlpool tumbled on dismal demand. In the hunt for growth, Europe is putting its money where its mouth is – Ireland unveiled a €212 billion infrastructure plan while Germany is mounting a €100 billion corporate investment revival. As EMs regain their shine amid shifting flows, South Africa may shine with more rate cuts on the cards, and a pickup in activity in the country’s mining sector.
Trading update : 6 June 2025
Global equities are flirting with all-time highs, fuelled by investor FOMO that’s turning every dip into a buying opportunity. In the US, a surprisingly robust labour market and confident consumers shrugged off early June jitters. South Africa was also a mixed bag, narrowly dodging a GDP bullet while new car sales soared. There’s also lots of activity in the mining sector to talk about.
Trading update : 30 May 2025
Just when it looked like Trump’s tariffs would dominate the headlines again, the courts stepped in and flipped the script. Markets cheered on hopes that a rare judicial win over presidential power could return calm to global markets – find out why Apple is one US company closely watching these courtroom developments. Beyond the politics, we reveal why Deckers Outdoor posted some Ugg-ly numbers, and discuss why metals like platinum and copper are showing potential.
Trading update : 22 May 2025
The US market is back in the hot seat – the Anything But USA (ABUSA) trade makes a comeback as the cracks widen in the U.S. economic story. Long-term US yields are also flirting with uncomfortable highs, shaking investor confidence and halting the S&P 500’s recent momentum. With budget deficit concerns mounting, all eyes are now on the Fed—will it step in, and if so, when?
Trading update : 16 May 2025
Everyone loves a rally, and investors weren’t disappointed when the US and China called a truce on the escalating trade war. US equities surged and optimism quickly shifted, with hopes the US could sidestep a recession. A stronger-than-expected earnings season also helped to push stocks further into the green, erasing a lot of 2025’s losses.
Trading update : 29 April 2025
Some calm returned to markets after more positive messaging from the Trump administration on its trade war with China and Fed independence. However, the “Sell America” trade continues to gather momentum, with investors shifting from US equities and the dollar to emerging markets. As the IMF continues to wield its axe to growth forecasts, time […]