Events that moved the market Q2 2018

The Trump administration announces 25% tariffs on some 1 300 industrial technology, transport and medical products, a move that will hit exporters and emerging markets in particular.

The IMF raises its forecast for SA GDP growth in 2018 to 1.5% after cutting its prediction to 0.9% in January.

SA inflation slows to 3.8% year-on-year in March from 4.0% in February, the lowest figure since January 2011.

Asian markets advance in reaction to the historic meeting of the leaders of North and South Korea as they agree to pursue permanent peace and complete denuclearisation.

The Fed holds interest rates steady and indicates that, with inflation near its 2% target, it’s on track to raise borrowing costs in June.

Argentina hikes interest rates to 40% and reach for a controversial bailout by the IMF in the light of its widening trade deficit.

Brent futures top $80 a barrel for the first time since 2014 on renewed US sanctions against Iran and shrinking supplies from Venezuela.

The US Treasury Secretary and China's Vice Premier Liu He reach a consensus to stop increasing tariffs on each other’s exports.

SA's consumer inflation comes out at 4.5%, up from 3.8% in March, and driven higher by fuel prices and alcoholic beverages.

The Turkish lira tumbles on growing investor alarm over the direction of monetary policy under President Tayyip Erdogan.

Milanese stocks jump on the appointment of Carlo Cottarelli, an economist formerly with the IMF, to form a technocrat government.

SA’s real GDP falls by 2.2% in the first quarter of 2018, the largest quarter-on-quarter decline since the first quarter of 2009. Mining is the biggest cause of the drop.

Business confidence in South Africa dips slightly in May, due to inflation caused by the recent VAT hike and lower merchandise import and export volumes.

The MSCI announces that the MSCI Argentina Index will be reclassified to Emerging Market status in 2019 from Frontier Market status.

The Trump administration announces 25% tariffs on some 1 300 industrial technology, transport and medical products, a move that will hit exporters and emerging markets in particular.

The IMF raises its forecast for SA GDP growth in 2018 to 1.5% after cutting its prediction to 0.9% in January.

SA inflation slows to 3.8% year-on-year in March from 4.0% in February, the lowest figure since January 2011.

Asian markets advance in reaction to the historic meeting of the leaders of North and South Korea as they agree to pursue permanent peace and complete denuclearisation.

The Fed holds interest rates steady and indicates that, with inflation near its 2% target, it’s on track to raise borrowing costs in June.

Argentina hikes interest rates to 40% and reach for a controversial bailout by the IMF in the light of its widening trade deficit.

Brent futures top $80 a barrel for the first time since 2014 on renewed US sanctions against Iran and shrinking supplies from Venezuela.

The US Treasury Secretary and China's Vice Premier Liu He reach a consensus to stop increasing tariffs on each other’s exports.

SA's consumer inflation comes out at 4.5%, up from 3.8% in March, and driven higher by fuel prices and alcoholic beverages.

The Turkish lira tumbles on growing investor alarm over the direction of monetary policy under President Tayyip Erdogan.

Milanese stocks jump on the appointment of Carlo Cottarelli, an economist formerly with the IMF, to form a technocrat government.

SA’s real GDP falls by 2.2% in the first quarter of 2018, the largest quarter-on-quarter decline since the first quarter of 2009. Mining is the biggest cause of the drop.

Business confidence in South Africa dips slightly in May, due to inflation caused by the recent VAT hike and lower merchandise import and export volumes.

The MSCI announces that the MSCI Argentina Index will be reclassified to Emerging Market status in 2019 from Frontier Market status.