Market overview
The FTSE/JSE All Share closed last week at 110 443.80, decreasing by 0.22%. The technology sector was the biggest contributor increasing by 3.81% during the previous week. Looking at the MSCI indices, developed markets increased by 1.75% during the previous week, while emerging markets increased by 2.05% over the same period
Slight increase in SA inflation
South Africa’s annual inflation rate ticked up to 3.4% in September 2025 from 3.3% in August, slightly below market forecasts of 3.5%. It remains within the official South African Reserve Bank’s target range of 3% – 6%. The core inflation rate, which excludes food, non-alcoholic beverages, fuel, and energy inched up to a seven-month high of 3.2% in September, from 3.1% in the previous month. On a monthly basis, the CPI rose by 0.2% in September, following a 0.1% decrease in the previous month.
SA Leading business cycle indicator improves
The composite leading business cycle indicator in South Africa climbed by 1.6% month-on-month in August 2025, following a 0.9% increase in the previous month. The latest figure marked the strongest expansion since April 2024, as eight of the ten available components contributed positively, led by increased number of residential building plans approved and an acceleration in the six-month smooth growth rate in the job advertisement space.
Thanks to PPS Investments for the weekly Market Overview.
Financial indicators by Sharedata.co.za
Grey list exit: SA can’t rest on its laurels
South Africa’s official removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list marks an important milestone for the country’s financial system, but experts warn that stronger prosecutions and more reforms lie ahead if it is to maintain this status. See the full article on Moneyweb.co.za here>
US inflation data enhances uncertainty in financial markets
US inflation data is better than expected. Most global financial markets moved sideways and uncertain last week in anticipation of the US inflation rate data that was released on Friday. Read the full article and the impact on South Africa in IOL Business Report here>
Gold slips on firmer dollar and hope for US-China trade deal
Gold prices fell on Monday, as a stronger dollar and signs of easing US-China trade tensions weighed on the safe-haven metal, while investors awaited major central bank meetings due later this week for monetary policy cues. Read the full BusinessDay article here>
Wall Street scales new highs on US-China trade optimism
Wall Street’s main indexes notched record highs on Monday as expectations of a U.S.-China trade deal fueled risk-taking at the start of a week dominated by Big Tech earnings and a likely Federal Reserve rate cut. See the full Reuters article here>
Oil firmer after US and China agree on trade-deal framework
Oil prices rose on Monday after US and Chinese economic officials sketched out a trade-deal framework, easing fears that tariffs and export curbs between the world’s top two oil consumers could dent global economic growth. See the full article on BusinessDay here>
Markets prepare for key rate decisions while tracking US-China trade talks
Global markets were buoyed on Monday morning by expectations of another Fed rate cut and growing optimism that the US and China are moving closer to a trade deal, following comments from President Donald Trump. The optimism wiped out gains in safe-haven assets such as gold futures and boosted stock exchanges across the globe. Read the full article on MSN here>