J200 Market Commentary: Global Equities Mixed On China Data and

Global equities ended in mixed territory on Friday as traders and investors digested fresh data out of China, the prospect of further rate hikes in the United States while assessing the potential for geopolitical tensions between the US and Saudi Arabia.

Volatility was subdued during the North American trading session as the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed higher by 0.26%, driven by a jump in Proctor and Gamble (+8.80%) which reported a stronger-than-expected increase in sales, buoyed by selected beauty products. Also leading the pack was American Express, which added 3.78% as the company exceeded analyst expectations for the third quarter. The S&P500 on the other hand finished slightly lower (-0.04%) while the NASDAQ Composite failed to shine on the day, losing 0.48%.

In Europe, stocks ended in mixed territory. For the day, the DAX closed lower by 0.31%, the FTSE100 higher by 0.32% while the CAC40 closed in the red by 0.63%. Although markets had traded lower in the morning session, comments from the EU's Moscovici lifted sentiment as he indicated that he wanted to reduce tensions with the Italian government over their budget plans.

On the JSE, the All Share Index closed slightly lower (-0.08%) as the market saw a somewhat even balance between buyers and sellers. The Top 40 closed lower by a similar level (-0.09%), as shares such as Kumba Iron Ore (-2.13%) and Bid Corp (-1.88%) gave index sellers a slight edge.

This morning in Asia, stocks kick off the new trading week on a strong note as the Shanghai Composite is higher by over 4% on the back of stimulus hopes, the Hang Seng by 2% while the Nikkei is up nearly a half of a percent. US and European Futures also trade in positive territory.

In terms of currencies, the Rand is back above the 14.30 level versus the US Dollar, while Gold trades near it's highest level in seven weeks.

JSE Major Sectors

Resources 10 -0.29%
Industrial 25 -0.13%
Financial 15 -0.17%


For the week ahead the economic calendar is filled with various local and international releases. On Wednesday at 9am, we have South African Consumer Confidence while the ECB Interest Rate Decision looms at 1:45pm on Thursday. In addition, the SA Medium Term Budget Policy Statement is due on Wednesday. You may view the economic calendar by clicking on this link: www.unum.co.za/economic-calendar/

________________________________________
Company News

Oceana Group Limited - Updated Trading Statement

Shareholders are referred to the trading statement released on the Stock Exchange News Service (“SENS”) of the JSE Limited (“JSE”) on 12 September 2018 and are advised that basic earnings per share (“EPS”) for the year ended 30 September 2018 compared to the year ended 30 September 2017 (“comparative period”) are now expected to increase between 78% and 88%, to between 714.3 cents per share and 754.4 cents per share (30 September 2017: 401.3 cents per share).

Basic headline earnings per share (“HEPS”) for the year ended 30 September 2018 are now expected to increase between 80% and 90%, to between 705.4 cents per share and 744.6 cents per share (30 September 2017: 391.9 cents per share) compared to the comparative period.
The financial information on which this trading statement is based has not been reviewed and/or reported on by the Company`s auditors.

The Company expects its results for the year ended 30 September 2018 to be released on the SENS on or about Thursday, 15 November 2018.

________________________________________
USDZAR - Technical Analysis

On Wednesday last week we saw the price has rebound off the neckline of a head and shoulder formation, maintaining the upward trend line that has been in place since 27 March 2018. Both the 50 and 100-day moving averages continue to show an upward bias while the medium term 20-day moving average is in neutral territory. The head and shoulder is negated above the highest point of the right shoulder, currently R15.06 while a break and close below the upward trend line would signal the potential for a medium term change in trend.