January 28, 2016

Global – Oil on a slippery slope? Global equity markets delivered positive returns in the fourth quarter despite a relatively poor performance in the latter half of December. In Dollar terms the MSCI World Index returned 5.11% with the MSCI Emerging Markets Index coming under considerable pressure returning a paltry 0.26%. Read the full article Local – Interest rate rise? Indicative of developments in emerging market economies the MSCI Emerging Market Index surprisingly showed a positive return of 0.26% for the quarter but lagged significantly behind the MSCI World Index. A stronger U.S. Dollar together with renewed concerns over the Chinese economy provided significant headwinds. However of more significance for the South African market was the totally unexpected move on the part of President Zuma who dismissed the well thought of Minister of Finance Nhlanhla Nene and replaced him with a relatively unknown and inexperienced David van... Read More

Global – Oil on a slippery slope? Global equity markets delivered positive returns in the fourth quarter despite a relatively poor performance in the latter half of December. In Dollar terms the MSCI World Index returned 5.11% with the MSCI Emerging Markets Index coming under considerable pressure returning a paltry 0.26%. Read the full article Local – Interest rate rise? Indicative of developments in emerging market economies the MSCI Emerging Market Index surprisingly showed a positive return of 0.26% for the quarter but lagged significantly behind the MSCI World Index. A stronger U.S. Dollar together with renewed concerns over the Chinese economy provided significant headwinds. However of more significance for the South African market was the totally unexpected move on the part of President Zuma who dismissed the well thought of Minister of Finance Nhlanhla Nene and replaced him with a relatively unknown and inexperienced David van... Read More