Key markets soften ahead of Trump taking office while rand weakens on various factors

Loading player...
Uncertainty about how aggressive incoming US president Donald Trump will be in implementing policy has hung over global markets in recent weeks. Continued US economic strength, as reflected in labour market and other data, is also creating nervousness about underlying inflationary pressures and future interest rate cuts. This is negative for bonds and equity valuations in the short term.

The rand has weakened appreciably to over R19/$ in recent weeks. It partly reflects dollar strength but also other factors, including post-year-end restocking of imported items, foreign selling of South African bonds and equities, and lacklustre economic growth. A more compelling level of economic growth is needed to attract foreign investment and cause the rand to strengthen.

STANLIB is an authorised Financial Services Provider in terms of FAIS and a registered representative manager in terms of CISCA.
13 Jan 2025 English South Africa Investing · Business News
Star episode

Other recent episodes

US economic growth broadens in Q3; SA’s GDP bigger than previously estimated

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, discusses the areas of strength and weakness in US GDP growth of 3.4% in Q3 2026, which was relatively broad-based. He also explores why the Fed decided to hold interest rates unchanged. Kevin discusses Stats SA’s re-basing and recalculation of GDP, which…
2 Nov 16 min

SA is not yet seeing second-round inflation effects: Kevin Lings

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, analyses the details behind SA’s below-expectation increase in inflation in September, to an annual rate of 4.5% from 4.4%. While fuel inflation is 27.9% y/y, it has not yet fed into other categories – e.g. food inflation is only 1% y/y, though…
26 Oct 10 min

MTBPS 2026 shows evidence of positive fiscal progress

In this podcast, Kevin Lings, Chief Economist at STANLIB Asset Management, highlights what was positive and what was disappointing in today’s Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement. He discusses how achievable the revenue and expenditure targets are, and stresses the need for stronger policy measures to push SA’s growth rate up to…
21 Oct 16 min

Minister delivers positive surprises for bond investors in the MTBPS

In this podcast, Sylvester Kobo, Deputy Head of Fixed Income at STANLIB Asset Management, summarises the main points of interest in the MTBPS for bond market investors. He explains how the bond market reacted in the short term and is likely to respond in the longer term. He also analyses…
21 Oct 3 min