Events that moved the market Q3 2018

The Shanghai Composite Index closes at its lowest level since March 2016, in anticipation of US tariffs.

Turkish President Erdogan appoints his son-in-law as economy czar. The lira plunges the most since a failed coup in 2016.

SA mining production is 2.6, and coal, down 4.2%.

SA unemployment rises to 27.2% with most jobs lost in the manufacturing of basic metals sector as well as food and beverages.

The price of copper – an indicator of the demand for global resources - falls to $5 928 a metric ton, the lowest level in more than a year.

The Rand weakens on a Moody’s statement that it sees the country’s fiscal deficit at about 4% of GDP in the year to March 2019.

The US wage bill is up 2.9% and the number of employees on payroll up 201 000.

The RMB BER gauge drops to 38 in the third quarter of 2018. All sectors surveyed are under the neutral level of 50, an infrequent & worrying development, according to RMB & the BER.

Manufacturing production increases by 2.9% in July, boosted by growth in vehicle and parts sales.

Retail trade sales for July grow by 1.3%
year-on-year in real terms - with appliances and clothing indicating significant growth.

Annual consumer inflation for August comes in at 4.9%, easing pressure on the SA Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Committee to hike rates.

UK inflation unexpectedly accelerates to a
six-month high in August, boosted mainly by the recreation and culture sector, where prices jumped 3.6%, the most since 2010.

Brent oil soars to close to $81, reaching the highest level since November 2014 after OPEC and other global producers snub pressure from US President Donald Trump to dampen prices.

German inflation unexpectedly accelerates to a four-month high, suggesting the rate in the Eurozone will rise further above the ECB’s goal.