As we enter the home stretch of 2019, many of the same themes that have dominated headlines for the past three years continue to dictate the direction of the markets. But in addition to the volatile brew of Brexit, trade wars and instability in the Middle East, a number of analysts and economists are beginning to see signs that a global economic slowdown is imminent.
South African markets, meanwhile, are being shaped by a volatile rand, slow GDP growth, and persistent concerns about the debt levels and slow pace of reforms at state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Let’s take a closer look at how the third quarter unfolded.

Source – Infront: Year-to-date the JSE ALSI and MSCI ACWI both in rand terms
The JSE All-Share Index dropped by 4.57% for the quarter ended 30 September 2019 (Q3) and rose 7.08% for the year to 30 September 2019 (YTD). Sectors that have had a difficult year include industrials (-3.92% Q3; -9.52% year-to-date) and healthcare (-2.5% Q3; -21.92% year-to-date). Sasol has had a torrid year, with its share price down 27.74% for Q3 and 39.63% year-to-date.
JSE sectors that have performed well include basic materials (-6.4% Q3; +13.15% year-to-date) and consumer goods (-0.82% Q3; +17.74% year-to-date). Stalwart rand hedges Anheuser-Busch InBev (+15.91% Q3), and British American Tobacco (+13.69 Q3) were among the few blue-chip shares to show strong growth in a difficult quarter for the JSE.
Dynasty’s domestic funds continued to perform well ahead of their benchmarks for the third quarter and the year-to-date. The Dynasty Ci Wealth Accumulator was down 0.87% for Q3 and up 10.14% year-to-date, while the benchmark was down 4.6% for Q3 and up 7.1% year-to-date. The Dynasty Ci Wealth Preserver was up 1.61% for Q3 and 9.07% year-to-date, while the benchmark rose 0.6% in Q3 and 7.7% for year-to-date.
Our decisions earlier this year to reduce exposure to mid and small-cap JSE shares and to focus on the All Share Index rather than trying to pick sectoral winners continued to pay off for us. Moving into Q4 2019, we remain concerned about South Africa’s long-term economic performance and the volatility of the rand and will continue to position our clients’ portfolios appropriately.
The outlook for the rand
In Q3, the rand shed around 7.7% of its value against the dollar. This, and the impending events, indicate that the currency is likely to remain volatile in Q4, with a long-term trend downwards (weaker). As always, the rand’s performance is partly shaped by local political and economic factors, but also largely by international factors such as the appetite for risk among international investors and Fed interest rate decisions.
Overseas portfolio investors are selling more South African assets than any previous year, a trend which is negative for the rand. The lack of appetite for South African bonds in a time of low and even negative interest rates in many parts of the developed world indicates a lack of confidence in the South African economy and the state of public sector finances.
The Finance Minister’s Medium Term Budget Speech (30 October) and a sovereign credit rating decision from Moody’s (1 November) may move the rand significantly, if they contain surprises. Moody’s has indicated that it is likely to maintain South Africa’s investment-grade credit rating for now, with the proviso that a clear and coherent plan needs to be established for Eskom.
High debt levels at SOEs – particularly Eskom – and a lack of appetite for the politically unpalatable steps needed to restore governance and restructure debt continue to weigh on the performance of the rand. We are not likely to see this change in the short term unless Finance Minister Tito Mboweni can offer some credible plans in his speech at the end of the month.
Offshore markets tread water
Offshore markets delivered lacklustre returns for Q3, with the MSCI All Country World Index (ACWI) up 0,1% for Q3 and the S&P 500 up 1.7%. As can be seen in the above chart (with the MSCI ACWI depicted in rands), year-to-date returns continue to be strong, with the MSCI ACWI up 16.71% and the S&P 500 rising 20.55%, both in USD. We continue to position our offshore portfolios to both mitigate risk and ensure growth.
In the face of growing concerns about slowing global growth, the prospect of a messy Brexit process and more heated trade war rhetoric, we will follow the same philosophies that have historically enabled us to protect and grow our clients’ wealth. By investing in quality funds and assets, we will look to better weather short-term volatility, while also tapping into the growth opportunities offered by global markets