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Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell signalled that the Fed is gearing up for a series of interest rate cuts during his annual address at Jackson Hole, Wyoming, stating, 'The time has come for policy to adjust’. He emphasized that while the direction toward rate cuts is clear, the exact timing and pace will be guided […]

U.S. retail sales exceeded expectations in July, rising by 1.0% following a downwardly revised 0.2% decline in June, according to the Commerce Department's Census Bureau. This marks the strongest performance in 18 months and may ease concerns of a sharp economic slowdown. The gains were led by the volatile auto sector, but increases were widespread, […]

Global financial markets experienced renewed volatility this week, driven by concerns over a potential U.S. recession, which many consider premature. The week began with a sharp drop in global equity markets, sparking headlines about a potential crash. Despite significant fluctuations, the stock market ultimately saw only modest changes. While recent volatility is noteworthy, it’s crucial […]

Global equity markets fell this week amid growing concerns about a slowing US economy. The Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) manufacturing index slumped, and weekly jobless claims rose, intensifying fears of a potentially harder-than-expected economic landing in the US. Following the data release, the equity market, which has already factored in a 25-basis point rate […]

Data released Friday morning showed the Personal Consumption Expenditures price index, the US Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of underlying US inflation, slowing to 2.5% from a year ago in June, matching estimates from economists polled by Dow Jones. Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, gained 0.2% for the month and 2.6% on the year, […]

Global equity markets continued their rally in June, achieving a 1.8% monthly gain, bringing their 2024 increase to 10.1%. The 2.3% quarterly gain marked the third consecutive positive quarter, with the market now having rebounded nearly 25% from September's lows. The gains have been fuelled by several factors including robust corporate earnings, easing inflationary pressures, and […]

The wildebeest, also known as the gnu (pronounced "NOO"), is often referred to in the South African wildlife community as a "spare parts animal." This nickname is attributed to its unique combination of features: the tail of a horse, the horns of a juvenile buffalo, the sloped back of a hyena, the stripes of a […]

U.S. markets recorded modest gains last week despite a shortened trading session due to the Juneteenth holiday closure. The S&P 500 Index hit new all-time highs, driven by strong performances from value stocks over growth shares. Most major benchmarks outperformed the Nasdaq Composite, which is heavily weighted towards technology stocks. Economic data from the U.S. […]

Throughout Friday, the ANC/DA/IFP Government of National Unity (GNU) secured control of the country’s key legislatures. In parliament, Thoko Didiza of the ANC was elected Speaker with 284 votes, defeating the EFF’s Veronica Mente, while the DA’s Annelie Lotriet was elected as Deputy Speaker. President Ramaphosa was also comfortably re-elected for a second term late […]

Despite bouts of market volatility in the final stretch of May, most major global markets ended the month with robust performance. Market sentiment improved as expectations of rate cuts grew, fuelled by favourable economic data prints. Global equity markets delivered the strongest monthly performance thus far in 2024 (MSCI World Index +4.5% MoM), while their emerging […]