The JSE opened firmer on Tuesday after the Dow closed above 26,000 points on Monday, rising more than 1% on the day following US President Donald Trump’s confirmation that the US had reached a preliminary trade deal with Mexico. Asian markets were mostly firmer, with the Nikkei 225 rising 0.06% and the Hang Seng 0.26%. The Shanghai Composite dropped 0.10%. The Dow reached a record high on January 26, when it closed at 26,616.71 points. Both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq have closed at record highs over the past few sessions. The euro firmed to $1.17 as strong German data also supported the European currency. Market sentiment favoured exposure to risky assets, with the JSE gaining from a relatively dovish stance by the US Federal Reserve. The trade agreement replaces the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta), which was a deal involving the US, Canada and Mexico. Canadian foreign minister Chrystia Freeland is on her way to Washington to join the talks in the hope of extending the U...

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