JSE likely to cheer US-China trade war ceasefire
Naspers’s main asset, Tencent, was up in Hong Kong, and a rebound in oil prices lifted BHP in Sydney
The rand, Asian markets and oil cheered the announcement of a truce in the trade war between the US and China following talks at the weekend’s Group of 20 (G20) meeting in Buenos Aires. Brent crude oil rebounded 5.6% to $62.39 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was up 5.9% to $53.63 a barrel on Monday morning, indicating a good day for Sasol and other oil-related shares. In Sydney, BHP was up 3.78% to A$31.85 ahead of the JSE’s opening. Fortunately for South African motorists, Monday’s oil rally will not translate into higher prices until at least January. On Saturday, the government committee that sets fuel prices, which take effect on the first Wednesday of every month, announced petrol prices will drop R1.84/l on December 5, taking the price of 93 octane in Gauteng to R15.01/l. The wholesale price of diesel will drop R1.45 to R14.67/l.
After weakening to R13.93/$ on Friday night, the rand was nearly back to last week’s level, trading at R13.70/$, R15.55/€ and R17.50...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.