GTC Trendline – March 2015
See-saw Margery “Dow” The first quarter of 2015 saw global markets reach record highs before falling off towards the end of March. The MSCI World posted 1.8% (USD) over the quarter, with strong contributions coming from Japan, Europe and the U.S while the UK declined by 0.95%. Quantitative easing in the Eurozone and China initially helped drive up equity prices. Crude oil prices, having experienced dramatic falls in the previous quarter, also stabilised bringing some calm to what had been a highly volatile situation. Market volatility was a key feature of markets over the period as economic news continued to blow hot and cold resulting in risk-on, risk-off being the order of the day. Read the full article FIAT LUX – Let there be light… South African markets rose over the quarter on the back of the global risk on environment with the ALSI posting 5.8% (ZAR) led higher by Financials (13.7%) and Industrials... Read More
EB Market Update – March 2015
Global Global markets continued their volatile ride as investors sought direction amid mixed news and concerns around a rampant US dollar and a slowing Chinese economy. The MSCI World shed 1.81% (USD), dragged lower by Europe (-2.56%) and the US (-1.44%) with Japan withstanding the negative sentiment posting 1.65%. Read the full article Domestic The South African economy was dominated by the ongoing fiasco at Eskom which is having a major impact on economic development as well as putting substantial pressure on an already weakened Rand. Minister Nene has projected economic growth for 2015 at 2.0% down from the 2.5% he indicated in October. For 2017 the indication is for 3%. Unfortunately these levels of economic growth project a muddle through economy for South Africa for some time to come. Read the full article
