Snapshot Summary of Q1 2025

Local equities outperform amidst US policy uncertainty


US equity indices and the US dollar weakened over the quarter on fears that the Trump administration’s erratic tariff policy will slow growth and raise prices in the world’s largest economy. European and emerging market equities performed relatively better as some investors rotated overweight US positions to these markets. Bonds and gold also benefited from increased uncertainty and weaker sentiment.

Domestic economic news was dominated by National Treasury’s inability to pass an expansionary budget in February and the South African Reserve Bank’s decision to leave the repo rate unchanged at 7.5%, despite inflation (CPI) remaining close to the bottom end of the inflation targeting range. Healthy local equity market returns in the first quarter were driven by the gold and platinum miners, as well as other dual-listed shares such as Prosus and AB Inbev.

READ MORE SOON IN OUR Q1 2025 COMMENTARIES

More information on specific funds' positioning and performance, as well as market-moving events post quarter end, will be available on our website later this month.


Insights disclaimer


Related articles

icon

We discuss the proverbial “picks and shovels” companies in the AI ecosystem, like infrastructure and hardware providers, as well as key players and technological advancements driving AI forward.

icon

In episode two, we ask if domestic equities will always preserve value in cases of severe countrywide decline and major macroeconomic instability.

icon

It’s understandable that in times of high interest rates, investors are attracted to the ‘safety’ of cash or fixed-rate term deposits, but over the long term, it is equities that will provide the returns that will beat inflation. Watch now to find out why.