Global markets experienced heightened volatility in February as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East escalated and investors reassessed risk across asset classes. Despite uncertainty, the broader economic outlook remains resilient, with easing inflation in major economies, shifting investment flows toward emerging markets, and encouraging developments within South Africa’s economy. This blog highlights the key global and local events shaping markets and what they may mean

Global geopolitical tensions, shifting alliances and heightened economic uncertainty shaped markets this month, even as SA leveraged the G20 spotlight to advance its development agenda and secure stronger investor confidence. South Africa saw meaningful domestic momentum through a sovereign credit rating upgrade, renewed fiscal discipline, and progress on key reforms, all supported by a resource-driven market rally. The medium-term outlook remains constructive despite struct

October 2025 saw mixed global and domestic developments, with the US facing a government shutdown and Inflation pressures, while China and the EU maintained cautious growth. A US-China trade breakthrough and easing Oil market tensions brought slight optimism. Domestically, South Africa celebrated its removal from the FATF grey list, steady inflation at 3.4% and renewed investor confidence supported by a stronger Rand and business sentiment.