Financial News 1st June 2026

Market overview
The JSE All Share closed the week at 114 632.30 increasing by 1.35%. The biggest contributing sector was the oil & gas sector, adding 4.86% while the consumer staples sector decreased by 4.49% during the same period.
Looking globally, developed markets increased by 1.35% (USD) during the week. Emerging markets increased by 3.96% (USD) during the same period.

Local events
• The South African Reserve Bank raised the repo rate by 25bps to 7%, citing rising inflation risks and warning that further tightening may be needed amid higher inflation forecasts and weaker growth outlook.
• South Africa’s trade surplus narrowed to R15.2bn in April, as a sharp rise in imports, driven by mineral product demand, outpaced modest export growth.
• R17.2bn in fuel levy relief is being phased out, increasing pressure on fuel prices and adding to inflation risks.

Global events
• US Core PCE inflation rose 0.2% in April, remaining a key measure of underlying price pressures and shaping expectations for the Fed’s interest rate path.
• China’s manufacturing PMI held at 50.0 in May, signalling borderline economic expansion and uncertainty around industrial demand.
• Oil prices rose nearly 3% to around $99.6 per barrel in late May as renewed US-Iran tensions increased uncertainty around supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
• $25bn+ in costs from the Iran war are pressuring global companies as rising energy prices and supply disruptions weigh on growth.

Thanks to PPS Investments for the weekly Market Overview

Fiancial Indicators by Sharedata.co.za

Petrol to rise R1.43, while diesel gets some relief
South African motorists will face a mixed picture at the pumps from Wednesday, 3 June, as petrol prices increase sharply while diesel and paraffin prices come down. See the price adjustments from Wednesday in the Moneyweb article here>

The MPC’s decision on repo rates: implications for the Rand and oil prices
The MPC’s recent decision to raise the repo rate to 7.0% amid ongoing US-Iran tensions has sparked debates about its timing and impact on the Rand and inflation. Explore how these factors are shaping South Africa’s economic landscape in the IOL Business Report article here>

South Africa’s turnaround is happening
While South Africa is currently navigating the chaos of yet another global disruption, it’s behaving like a ‘safe haven’, with reforms, better finances and an independent Reserve Bank lighting the way. See the full Businesstech article here>

The impact of financial stress on employee engagement and productivity in South Africa
The world has changed enormously and in fundamental ways, affecting the world of work and what is expected from employees, who face their own challenges as salaries fail to keep up with the cost of living. Read the full article on MSN here>

US stock futures rise as AI push eclipses US-Iran war; Nvidia, Microsoft up
U.S. stock index futures climbed on Monday, supported by gains in Nvidia and Microsoft following their latest AI initiatives as investors looked past lingering uncertainty surrounding Middle East tensions. Read the latest updates on Marketscreener.com here>

EU’s six largest economies push for capital markets union
The EU’s six largest economies have reached a common agreement on how to integrate capital markets in an attempt to get a deal through a politically stagnant Brussels. See the full Euronews.com article here>

China’s Oil Buying Pause Won’t Last Forever
China has been stabilizing global oil markets by drawing down massive inventories instead of aggressively importing crude, but that strategy may soon run out of room. See the potential impact of China entering the oil markets again in the Oilprice.com article here>

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