Market Overview:
- Top 40 Index: Hit an all-time high of 82,378, currently at 81,800. SA markets remain strong despite a US market selloff.
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Top40 | Weekly | 18 March 2025
Gold: Broke $3,000 for the first time last week, currently around $3,030. Continues to rise amid geopolitical uncertainties.
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Gold | Weekly | 19 March 2025
Rand: Trading at 18.07, briefly touching 18.0088 earlier. Dollar weakness driving strength, with a target level of 17.80.
Key Market Insights:
- Gold as a Portfolio Hedge:
- Maintains a 6-7% weighting in portfolio.
- Recent purchase at $2,865 via GLD ETF in New York.
- Potential buy zones: $2,800 and $2,850.
- Dollar Index Trends:
- Initially targeted 104, broke through to 101.
- Could drive the Rand towards 17.80.
Global Uncertainty & Market Reactions:
- European tariffs and Ukraine war concerns.
- Trump-Putin meeting adds to geopolitical tensions.
- Elevated US market valuations suggest exploring Europe ETFs.
Investment Strategies:
- AI Participation Note by Standard Bank:
- Tracks the S&P Kensho AI Index.
- Two options:
- 100% Capital Protection – Minimum investment of R25,000, capital secured, potential upside.
- Capital at Risk with 140% Participation Rate – Higher returns if index rises, but losses if it drops more than 40%.
- Open for investment until March 28, 2025.
Renergen* Helium Production Milestone:
- Finally delivered helium after years of delays.
- Stock surged from R3 to R9.30, but challenges remain.
- Phase 2 expansion and NASDAQ listing pending.
- Retail investors remain cautious due to past delays.
Macroeconomic Outlook:
- Atlanta Fed GDP Now Forecast:
- Predicts Q1 GDP contraction of -2.1%.
- Economic slowdown concerns intensifying.
Upcoming Rate Decisions:
- US Fed (FOMC): Unlikely to cut rates.
- SA Reserve Bank (MPC): Potential space for a rate cut.
All charts by KoyFin | Get 10% off your order
00:00 Market Overview and Key Movements
05:47 Gold and Rand Dynamics
12:08 Investment Opportunities in AI
17:43 Renergen’s Helium Production and Challenges
20:06 Budget Insights and Economic Outlook
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JSE Direct is an independent broadcast and is not endorsed or affiliated with, nor has it been authorised, or otherwise approved by JSE Limited. The views expressed in this programme are solely those of the presenter, and do not necessarily reflect the views of JSE Limited.
Wednesdays are all about hard-core investing and trading with Simon Brown’s famous JSE Direct podcast. JSE Direct started life on ClassicFM in July 2008 and became a podcast in 2011. Every week Simon shares his views on the state of global economies, individual shares and events moving markets.
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JSE – The JSE is a registered trademark of the JSE Limited.
JSE Direct is an independent broadcast and is not endorsed or affiliated with, nor has it been authorised, or otherwise approved by JSE Limited. The views expressed in this programme are solely those of the presenter, and do not necessarily reflect the views of JSE Limited.
