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South African motorists can expect more pain at the petrol pumps next Wednesday as the price of Brent oil topped $80 a barrel amid an energy crunch and the rand again breached R15.00 to the US dollar this morning on China worries.  Analysts, including Goldman Sachs and Nomura lowered their Chinese GDP estimates for 2021 by around 0.5% as the energy crisis weighs on China’s production …

While you were asleep: Fasten your seatbelts and prepare for a rough ride Read More »

The JSE continued its upward trajectory, adding 0.23% to end the day at 64,197.36 points as a surge in the oil price supported global markets.  Petrochemicals giant Sasol spurted 5.5%, with Investec Ltd (+6.49%) and Investec plc (+5.45%) adding to the positive momentum.  Commodity counters were mixed, tracking the mixed performance in the commodity markets. Gold is holding steady …

Market wrap: Oil spurt fuels JSE’s continued upward trajectory Read More »

Monday marks World Tourism Day across the globe and while it has characteristically been celebrated by local and world travellers alike over the years there is an ask this year to take reflect on what the tourism industry was in the past and what it will look like in the future after Covid-19 ravaged the …

Opinions of the Day: World Tourism Day but UK restrictions remain Read More »

Most of the world’s problems are rooted in debt. Take for example how the ballooning debt of a single proper developer roiled global markets last week. An agreement to settle some local note interest payments eased the anxiety but the problem is far from over as the bad news out of China continues to negatively impact markets and keep emerging market currencies on …

While you were asleep: Are you willing to die for R580m? Read More »

The JSE extended its winning streak to end the shortened trading week 1.10% higher at 64,049.05 points as fears of an Evergrande default and event risk around the US Federal Reserve’s September FOMC meeting subsided.  Among the top gainers were Santam, which soared 4.85% after Fitch Ratings affirmed the short-term insurer and parent Sanlam Life’s (+0.88%) national insurer financial strength ratings at AAA(zaf). Meanwhile, Sanlam is reportedly planning to sell its entire 51% stake in Malaysian …

Market wrap: JSE extends winning streak for third straight day Read More »

Tomorrow is Heritage Day and there probably isn’t another country on earth that can claim as many indigenous cultures as South Africa can. We’re a mixed bag of different races, cultures, heritages, and beliefs but we always find a way to stand together, set aside our differences and share in each other’s backgrounds. From all …

Opinions of the Day: Celebrating our heritage Read More »

South Africa is still paying for Digital Vibes’ lack of doing its job.   Instead of keeping us on our toes on Covid as the communications firm was tasked with and paid R150m to do, it paved the way for misinformation and disinformation that could trip the country’s efforts to beat the virus.  The latest reveal in one of the worst corruption scandals to hit SA shows that when all communications efforts were needed to battle the pandemic, Tahera Mather, the now infamous owner …

While you were asleep: From Gucci and Smeg to US taper timing Read More »

The JSE extended gains for a second straight session to end the day 1.595 higher on 63,353.05 points as fears of a debt default by China’s property developer Evergrande abated and commodity prices soared.  Palladium led the surge, gaining more than 7% to $2,047.98 at last count, followed by a 6.17% gain that pushed platinum above the $1,000-mark. Gold added 0.22%.  Eastplats (+9.38%), Amplats (+3.30%), Implats (+2.94%), Royal Bafokeng (+3.02%) and Sibanye Stillwater (+2.87%) all gained.   Miners with exposure …

Market wrap: JSE extends gains on waning China risks and surging metals prices Read More »

Cast your mind back to 2008, it was an interesting time globally, for the United States it was the final year of the George W. Bush presidency and the thirst for change both economically and socially was awash in the States. Barack Obama would go on to defeat John McCain in the presidential election and …

Opinions of the Day: What’s all the fuss about Evergrande? Read More »