INTERNATIONAL MARKETS
TAX REFORM AGENDA BOOSTS US MARKETS
US markets had a great month boosted by positive earnings and US President Trump’s tax-reform agenda. Concerns raised around how much agreement there will be among congressional factions once the tax bill is unveiled and media reports at the end of October suggesting the highly-anticipated reduction in the corporate tax rate may only take full effect in 2022, did little to cap the month on momentum. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) outpaced both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite in October to register a 4.3% month on month gain (+18.3% year to date). Impressive earnings from US tech stocks (Alphabet, Intel, Amazon, Microsoft etc.) pushed the Nasdaq to new highs, with the index ending the month 3.6% up (year to date the index has risen by 25.0%). S&P 500 advanced by 2.2% month on month (+15.0% year to date).
On the US economic front, GDP data surprised on the upside despite the recent hurricanes, with preliminary 3rd quarter 2017 GDP showing that the economy grew by 3% year on year (vs an expected 2.5%). All segments of the US economy contributed to quarterly growth with exports, imports and business spending all increasing, while consumer spending, which accounts for the majority of economic activity, rose by a healthy 3.3% year on year.
Positive earnings and some better-than-expected economic data saw European bourses recording positive performances in October. Germany’s DAX closed the month 3.1% higher (+15.2% year to date), while France’s CAC rose by 3.3% month on month (+13.2% year to date). Eurozone 3rd quarter 2017 GDP growth of 0.6% quarter on quarter came in above expectations (expanding for the 18th consecutive quarter), while the September unemployment rate dropped to 8.9% – the lowest since 2009. The UK FTSE-100 Index advanced by 1.6% month on month (+4.9% year to date), while growth for the 3rd quarter came in at 0.4% quarter on quarter – slower than that of the eurozone.
In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 reached a 21-year high in October ending the month 8.1% higher month on month (+15.2% year to date). Meanwhile, markets in China traded at their highest levels since the start of 2016 earlier in the month before entering the last week of October on a slightly weaker note. This pullback in Chinese markets in the last days of the month resulted in Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index capping its month on month gain at 2.5% in October (year to date the index is up 28.4%), while the Shanghai Composite closed the month 1.3% higher (+9.3% year to date).
LOCAL MARKETS
MID-TERM BUDGET DOMINATES NEWS
Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba shocked markets (and the nation) with the extent of SA’s economic woes when he delivered the medium term budget (MTBPS) to parliament in October. It is clear that consumers will have to prepare for more tough times ahead as the consequences of years of mismanagement and corruption, especially at state-owned enterprises (SOEs), came home to roost. The bleak picture Gigaba painted of SA’s finances saw the rand hit an 11-month low against the dollar, before retracing some of these losses and ending the month 4.2% down against the dollar (year to date the local currency is 2.8% lower). Rating agency Moody’s described Gigaba’s MTBPS as signalling “a marked credit -negative departure from earlier fiscal consolidation
efforts”. Many commentators are now of the view that the odds in favour of credit rating downgrades by S&P and Moody’s at their upcoming reviews later this year have tilted to the negative.
Financial Mail reported that the budget address showed that the Zuma administration has backed SA into a fiscal crisis. If the status quo is allowed to continue, the country will be in debt distress within a few years. “According to budget documents, SA cannot sustain the current level of social spending, let alone fund new proposals like the National Health Insurance or free higher education, unless growth rebounds to 3% and
stays there,” according to the magazine’s cover feature.
Despite the gloomy economic outlook the FTSE JSE All Share Index touched new record highs during October. It was green across the board as a turnaround in resources and an impressive performance from large rand-hedge industrial shares such as Naspers and Richemont retraced September’s losses. The All Share Index closed 6.1% higher month on month (+16.4% year to date), while the Indi-25, Resi-10, and Fini-15 posted month on month increases of 8.1% (+27.3% year to date), 6.4% (+16.0% year to date) and 2.1% (+2.3% year to date), respectively. Commodity shares (especially platinum stocks), Naspers and some real estate shares, accounted for the bulk of October’s 20 best performers as a much-weaker rand lifted miners and rand-hedge and some real estate sector stocks.
Lonmin emerged as October’s best performing share, soaring 55.3% month on month, albeit from a low base. A strong production report (and weaker rand) pushed Impala Platinum (+26.5% month on month) into second spot with Kumba Iron Ore at +23.4% for the month in third spot. Listed affordable housing developer, Calgro M3 Holdings, was October’s worst-performing share, declining by 20.4% month on month. Ascendis Health was October’s second-worst performing share – down 13.4% month on month, followed by Famous Brands in
third spot – down 12.6% month on month.
In terms of local economic data, September CPI rose by a more-than-expected 5.1%, from 4.8% in August. September trade surplus narrowed slightly to R4bn vs R6bn in August. Year to date, the trade balance has improved to a R47.12bn surplus from a deficit of R6.66bn in the same period of 2016.
Unemployment rate, while stable at 27.7% for third quarter remained at record-high levels last seen 14 yrs ago. Following this announcement Business Times reported that SA’s jobs market is entering a new era, one in which it could absorb less labour than in the past – even if growth returns to the economy. “A shift to a servicedriven economy in line with global trends would not be a panacea for the country’s unemployment challenge. We are entering a different kind of era,” according to the newspaper’s report. The best growth sector for jobs was finance and other business services, which added 68 000 employees during the quarter. However, manufacturing shed about 50 000 jobs, construction about 30 000, and agriculture about 25 000.
New vehicle sales numbers continued with positive gains for the fifth consecutive month, with more than 51 000 units sold in October. The numbers issued by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of SA (Naamsa) stated that new vehicle sales in October 2017 closed at 51 037 units, an increase of 2 255 units or 4.6% compared to 48 782 vehicles sold in October 2016. Export sales at 28 229 vehicles registered a decline of 2 544 units or -8.3% compared to the 30 773 vehicles exported in October 2016. The new car market reflects further gains with 35 316 units, an improvement of 2 594 cars or 7.9% compared to the 32 722 new cars sold in October last year. The car rental Industry had accounted for an estimated 26.1% of new car sales in October 2017.
Megan joined the Brenthurst Wealth team in March 2026 as an Administrative and Fiduciary Services Assistant at our Val de Vie Office in the Western Cape. Prior to joining Brenthurst, Megan gained three years of experience in the retail sector, where she developed management and client service skills.
I obtained my National Diploma in Financial Information Systems from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 1999 and have worked in the wealth management industry since January 2000. Over the years, I have gained extensive experience in various roles, including Portfolio Manager Assistant, Planner Assistant, and Paraplanner.
Esmarelda Isaacs-Andreas joined the Brenthurst Wealth Stellenbosch office in October 2025, taking on the dual role of Receptionist and Fiduciary Administrator.
I obtained my National Diploma in Financial Information Systems from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 1999 and have worked in the wealth management industry since January 2000. Over the years, I have gained extensive experience in various roles, including Portfolio Manager Assistant, Planner Assistant, and Paraplanner.
Ashley joined Brenthurst Wealth in January 2025 as Office Administrative Assistant and Receptionist for the Stellenbosch Office.
René Heystek joined Brenthurst Wealth in November 2023, as receptionist and administrative assistant in the newly established George/Garden Route office.
Michelle Heystek has built a career in the financial services over the last two decades, after obtaining her B.Com degree in Financial Management in 2005. Once she joined Brenthurst in 2006, she continued her academic journey, obtaining her Certificate in Wealth Management from INSETA in 2007, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning from the University of the Free State. In 2008, she earned the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation.
Anelle joined Brenthurst Wealth as a Receptionist and Administrative Assistant to Brian Butchart in the Cape Town office in December 2023. She has a wealth of knowledge from working as a liaison between Financial Advisers and clients at TMA and Absa Investment Management Services (Aims) since 1998. She obtained her B. com degree from the University of Port Elizabeth in 1997.
ADMITTED ATTORNEY | FINANCIAL PLANNER & HEAD OF BRENTHURST FOURWAYS
Sanet was appointed in April 2020, joining our Cape Town team as an Executive Administration Assistant to Renee Eagar. She has been in the financial services industry since 1990. Her previous experience includes positions at Sanlam, BJM and ABSA. She spent her last 12 years working at Alexander Forbes Private Client Wealth as a Senior Wealth Management Assistant. She has received numerous accolades over the years which include but not limited to, Alexander Forbes Client Service Excellence – Silver award in 2014,2015 and 2017. Sanet has also obtained her Certificate in Wealth Management (NQF 5) in 2012 and achieved “Best Student of the Year” from Moonstone.
Maria Smit is a Certified Financial Planner® with over 10 years of experience in the financial planning industry.
