Tariffs & Global Markets
- President Trump reviving tariff plans: 25% on Canada & Mexico, 10% on China.
- Potential economic consequences: Higher inflation, lower GDP, and possible unemployment rise.
- Market reactions: Nasdaq down 10%, S&P also declining.
- Investment considerations: Waiting on market responses, considering offshore investment options.
US & European Relations
- US distancing itself militarily from Europe.
- Europe increasing defense spending; France, UK, and Germany stepping up.
- Possible future tariffs on Europe?
Market & Economic Updates
- Oil Prices: Brent crude falling to ~$71; potential implications for fuel prices.
- Rand (ZAR) Performance: Volatile, weakening past 18.30 but showing resilience.
- US Recession Risks: Think tanks predict negative GDP growth (-2.5%).
- SA GDP & Inflation: GDP growth at 0.6% (below population growth); inflation at 3.2%.
- Vehicle Sales: Strong February numbers—possible impact of “two-pot” money.
Brent Oil | Weekly Chart | 04 March 2025
Stock Market Highlights
- Positive: Nedbank, Santam, PPC, Discovery, Shoprite• (despite market reaction).
- Negative: Truworths, Metrofile (flat growth due to weak GDP).
- Nvidia: Strong earnings but market volatility; long-term investment outlook.
- Defense Stocks: Rising global defense budgets boosting sector.
Crypto & Meme Coins
- Trump’s Strategic Crypto Reserve: Includes Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and Cardano.
- Skepticism: No real “strategic” value—comparison to gold reserves.
- Meme Coins: Trump-related coins down over 90% since January; extreme volatility.
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00:00 Global Economic Overview and Tariff Implications
05:02 Market Reactions and Investment Strategies
10:01 South African Economic Indicators and Vehicle Sales
12:19 Nvidia’s Market Performance and AI’s Future
16:21 Crypto Reserves and Meme Coin Risks
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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.
