Market overview
The FTSE/JSE All Share closed last week at 106 700.10, increasing by 0.64%. The basic materials sector was the biggest contributor increasing by 6.82% during the previous week. The biggest detractor was the oil & gas sector, which lost 3.80% over the same period.
Looking at the MSCI indices, developed markets decreased by 1.12% during the previous week, while emerging markets decreased by 0.40% over the same period.
SA Producer inflation continues to climb
South Africa’s PPI inflation rose for the third month in August 2025, reaching a one-year high of 2.1%, compared to July’s 1.5%. The main upward pressure came from food, beverages & tobacco. This is often seen as a leading indicator for headline inflation
SA Consumer confidence takes a blow
The FNB/BER Consumer Confidence Index for South Africa slipped to -13 in Q3 2025, from -10 in the previous period. The index remains well below the historical average of -1, indicating a greater degree of pessimism. ”Weak job creation, rising inflation, and dwindling two-pot funds have likely started to weigh on the confidence levels of the middle class,” said FNB Chief Economist Mamello Matikinca-Ngwenya. She warned that waning consumer confidence will likely translate into a more pronounced slowdown in real household expenditure growth toward the final quarter of the year.
Thanks to PPS Investments for the weekly Market Overview.
Financial indicators by Sharedata.co.za
South African rand buoyed by higher gold prices ahead of local data
South Africa’s commodity-backed rand rose slightly in early trade on Monday on higher gold prices, while traders eyed a slew of economic data that could offer clues on the health of Africa’s largest economy. Read the full MSN article here>
Uncertainty about US stagflation good for the Rand, gold, and the All Share index
The dichotomy between US unemployment and inflation, baptised as a process of stagflation, continues to shift investments to Gold, Platinum and other haven assets. Together with this sentiment of further rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve, the decision by the Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee not to lower the repo rate the previous week, pushed real rates between the US and South Africa to unique highs. Read the full article by Chris Harmse in IOL Business Report here>
U.S. futures rise as investors eye key upcoming data, possible government shutdown
U.S. stock futures were pointing higher on Monday, as investors awaited the release of a key jobs report later in the week and eyed the implications of a looming federal government shutdown. Read the full article on Investing.com here>
Gold breaches $3 800 as traders weigh shutdown risk, Fed rates
Gold climbed to a record above $3 800 an ounce for the first time as precious metals surged, with traders weighing a potential US government shutdown that could delay the release of pivotal jobs data this week, which would cloud the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy path. Read the full article on Moneyweb.co.za here>
Shares rise in Asia; dollar dips as US government faces closure
Most share markets rose in Asia on Monday while the dollar eased as investors braced for a possible shutdown of the U.S. government, which would in turn delay publication of the September payrolls report and a raft of other key data. See the full Reuters article here>