Financial markets: The JSE ALSI is a silent warrior, with fuel prices heading for another cut

DESPITE all the attention on the US trade debate and the South African lack of budget consensus, the worrying unemployment data (32.9%) for Q1, the ALSI on the JSE continue its impressive performance.

- CHRIS HARMSE

The index closed on Friday on 92 619, only twenty points away from its record level of 92 638, which was recorded last Tuesday.

Not only did ALSI end the week with 0.9% in the green but it is now 9.7% up for the year to date. Foreign buying interests in SA shares, the strong recovery in Naspers and Prosus saw the Rand exchange rate moving close to the R18.00/$ level. Financial shares were the best performer on the JSE last week as the FIN15 index gained 2.7%.

JSE ALSI compared with other global indices. (15 May 2025)

On the foreign exchange market, the Rand improved against the US$ over the week by thirty cents to close on Friday at R18.04/$.

This is the strongest level for the year-to-date. Against the British £ the Rand improved by twenty-five cents to R23.96/£ and against the Euro appreciated the last five days by twenty-two cents to R20.12/€.