Equities surged in May while the Rand stabilised

The JSE had a bumper month and year-to-date.

- CHRIS HARMSE

Given all the growing uncertainties on the global and domestic geo-political front, investors and the public expected the worst for the share and foreign exchange markets during the month of May.

Given the Trump administration's chop-and-change announcements in the trade war between the US and other countries, like China, Canada, and European countries, as well as the jittery South Africa/US relations, it was expected by many members of the public that the economy and financial markets would go from better to worse.

Prospects for share and capital markets

Despite the national budget woes, US trade tariff threats, the lack of domestic service delivery, and a deterioration of transport infrastructure and export facilities, signs of an economic recovery in South Africa boost capital and equity markets.