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WEEK IN REVIEW 25 MAY 2018
INFLUENCES ON WEEKLY GLOBAL MARKET
Last week was somewhat of a topsy-turvy week for markets with different factors pushing and pulling markets in various directions. On the one hand, the dollar retreated from five month high levels whilst the US 10Y Treasury yield pulled back from levels last seen seven years ago when reports emerged that China agreed to cut tariffs on imports of cars and car parts and both China and the US saw eye to eye on guidelines over controversial Chinese telecom company ZTE
Additionally, the US announced that the “trade war” with China was placed on hold, which meant risk-on sentiment was then very much in play. This was followed by President Trump mentioning that he was not pleased with the outcome of the trade talks, which rocked market sentiment. Risk assets thereafter took a pounding, which most likely indicates that markets jumped the gun to some degree considering trade talks were still ongoing between the world’s two largest economies and key issues like intellectual property rights were still very much up in the air.
Sentiment was further dampened when Trump called off his meeting with North Korea’s Supreme Leader next month, which sparked fears that North Korea will continue with its nuclear program. Nevertheless, North Korea showed signs that they were still open for dialogue with the US, which alleviated concerns somewhat. As the week came to a close, Trump reported that the meeting was again scheduled to happen and that a US delegation in North Korea was already making arrangements for the Summit. US markets ended in positive territory with the Dow and S&P500 indices closing 0.18% and 0.31% in the green respectively.
After much anticipation, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) minutes revealed a surprising level of dovishness from the Fed. Upon further investigation, the Fed were happy for inflation to rise above their 2% target level for a period of time.
More importantly however, all committee members were in agreement that smaller interest rate adjustments should be the way forward. That means rates can change by increments of 0.20% instead of 0.25% as present. The market reacted favourably, evidenced by the US 10Y treasury yield ending the week -0.20% down at 2.93%. Despite decreasing rates over the week, it would be surprising if interest rates didn’t keep ticking higher into year-end as inflation in the US is definitely on an upward trend and the employment market is extremely tight and likely to lead to higher wages (inflation) down the line.
GLOBAL ECONOMIC NEWS
New and existing home sales in the US for April came in slightly below expectations. Nonetheless, markets seemed little impacted by these prints.
Over the Atlantic, EU consumer confidence in May fell slightly and came in below consensus. At the same time, EU Composite PMI’s for May fell to eighteen month low levels despite still being in expansionary territory. One wonders how this will influence the European Central Bank’s decision and ability to tighten monetary policy in the EU.
In Japan, a surplus trade balance was posted once again for April. Digging deeper revealed that exports (7.8%) rose at a faster pace than imports (5.9%). This is a good sign for global growth as demand for Japan’s top exports (vehicles, machinery and electronics) are still intact. In the meanwhile, although Japan’s manufacturing PMI came in slightly lower, it remained in expansionary territory. The main culprits causing the tapering in growth were a slow down in output and new orders.
INFLUENCES ON WEEKLY SA MARKET
Amidst the uncertainty which created volatility, emerging markets ended somewhat flat with the MSCI Emerging Markets index losing -0.10% over the week. The JSE All Share index was an exception and ended -1.50% lower. The resource board weighed the most on performance and lost -5.05%. Also detracting was the JSE Industrial 25 (-0.91%) whilst the JSE Financial 15 index added 1.15% over the same period. South Africa’s 10Y Government Bond yield lost -0.16% over the week to close at 8.45%, most likely on the back of the more dovish than expected FOMC meeting minutes.
The African National Congress (ANC) held a land reform workshop. The outcome of this showed that the ANC will not be seeking to change the Constitution to give effect to land expropriation without compensation. This should add some calmness surrounding the topic. However, the ANC are under huge pressure to provide clarity on this issue as it is standing in the way of potential investment and economic reform in SA.
Public sector unions aligned to the Congress of South Africa Trade Unions (COSATU) reached an agreement for wage settlements with the South African government. The wage settlement was above inflation, which should push the general price level higher on the whole. However, it was below the government’s forecasts (from the Budget) and this stands to reduce pressure on the fiscus, which is a promising sign.
DOMESTIC ECONOMIC NEWS
The South African Reserve Bank kept interest rates on hold as expected, with the repo rate remaining at 6.5%. Global risk has spiked and markets have therefore generally been more volatile in recent times (and in all likelihood, could continue to be so
for the foreseeable future). Hence, it would have been tough for the SARB to cut interest rates further. Coupled with this, the US Fed has been tightening monetary policy and many other economies have began following suit. Concurrently, with rising oil prices and the price of electricity moving higher too, inflation should push up. Looking forward, there is thus a fair chance that domestic interest rates have troughed.
Inflation for April rose to 4.5% y/y from 3.8% reported in March. This was slightly below expectations of 4.7%. Price increases of food, non-alcoholic beverages, housing and utility products pushed the general price level to the highest rate reported since December last year.
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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.
