Market overview
The FTSE/JSE All Share closed last week at 86 406.44, increasing by 6.44%. The increase comes as Trump paused many of the tariffs imposed on the 2 nd which sent shockwaves through the global economy. The basic materials and consumer discretionary sectors were the biggest contributors increasing by 19.91% and 6.45% respectively during the previous week. The technology sector was the lone detractor losing 2.68% during the same period.
Looking at the MSCI indices, developed markets increased by 4.40% during the previous week, while emerging markets decreased by 3.83% over the same period.
China struggles with deflation
China’s consumer prices fell by 0.1% year-on-year in March 2025, missing market expectations of a 0.1% increase and marking the second consecutive month of drop, as the ongoing trade dispute with the U.S. threatens to exert further downward pressure on prices. On a monthly basis, the CPI declined by 0.4%, a steeper fall than a 0.2% drop in February, marking the second straight month of contraction.
US Consumer confidence continues to fall
The University of Michigan consumer sentiment for the US dropped to 50.8 in April 2025, the lowest level since June 2022 from 57 in March and well below forecasts of 54.5. This marks the fourth consecutive monthly decline, with sentiment falling more than 30% since December 2024, amid growing concerns over trade war developments that have fluctuated throughout the year.
Thanks to PPS Investments for the weekly Market Overview.
Financial Indicators by Sharedata.co.za
Volatility in global markets: the impact of US-China tariffs
Volatility in share, bond, and exchange rate markets is set to prevail for a long time. The sudden back-paddle of President Donald Trump’s tariff calls, by decreasing tariffs to most countries back to only 10% (except for China), was, as expected, a sign that he called the bluff of all the countries over the past few weeks. Read the full article by Chris Harmse on IOL Business Report here>
Battered dollar drifts lower on tariff nerves
The dollar drifted lower on Monday after an early bump off a three-year low, as investor confidence in the world’s reserve currency remained in question following a stream of tariff-related pronouncements from U.S. President Donald Trump. Read the full Reuters report here>
Asia stocks jump, Hang Seng up over 2% on some US tariff relief
Asian stocks rose sharply on Monday, with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index up the most on gains in technology after U.S. authorities signaled that electronics would be temporarily exempt from steep trade tariffs on China. Read the Investing.com article here>
European stock markets to rise as Trump hints at resuming tariffs on electronics soon
The euro extended gains against the US dollar, while European stock markets are poised to open higher after the White House exempted electronics from its reciprocal tariffs. Read the full article on MSN.com here>
Gold prices fall from record highs as Trump grants tariff exemptions
Gold prices retreated on Monday from a record high hit earlier in the session as trade tension eased after US President Donald Trump exempted smartphones and computers from “reciprocal” US tariffs. Read the full BusinessDay article here>