Risk-on was the theme for the month of September as investors clamoured for risky assets after the Fed decided to hold off on their tapering strategy until they had better assurances from economic growth and performance indicators. Global markets were boosted by the news and had an exceptional month. The MSCI World Index and the MSCI Emerging Markets Index returned 4.82% and 6.23% respectively, while MSCI Africa ex SA returned 5.42% in dollars. German, Japanese and French markets delivered close to and over 8% in dollar terms, while the S&P 500 returned 3%.

Local markets began the month on a cautious note as labour unrest began to take hold of the key export sectors in motoring and gold mining. This however did not fail to hamper the All Share rally, which reached a new high of over 44,000 index points. The All Share delivered 5.08%, which was driven by industrials (4.25%) and financials (6.32%) while resources returned 1.96%. Large caps delivered 5.66%, while mid-caps and small-cap shares returned 4.91% and 6.23% respectively.

Investors also benefitted from a substantial rally in both local bonds and listed property, with the All Bond index up 3.9%, Inflation-linked bonds up 2.91% and local listed property up a stellar 6.71% on the back of improving fundamentals, a stronger rand and lower bond yields.

The rand ended the month stronger against the dollar at R10, while flat against the Euro (R13.55) and slightly weaker against the sterling (R16.25). Inflation remains vulnerable in South Africa as it is currently above the target bands at 6.43%, and continues to face upward pressures from the weakening rand and the impact of the higher unitised costs of labour.