It’s still all about the US

The local unit scored somewhat of a consolation goal on Friday (sorry Argentina fans), as global equities and EM markets ended the week stronger.

Eyes are still on the US though as June Fed minutes and job numbers will be out later this week. The data, coupled with escalating trade tensions between the US and China, could provide more volatility than the Spain vs. Russia penalty shootout.

On local shores, consumers are set to be hit with another sucker punch as the price of petrol is set to increase by 26c/litre. Combine this with higher municipal rates, taxes and electricity tariffs and you’ve got yourself an already overworked wallet. Have a great week and batten down the hatches if you’re in the Cape!

Latest Rates

USD/ZAR 13.83
GBP/ZAR 18.21
EUR/ZAR 16.09
ZAR/JPY 7.99
CNY/ZAR 2.07
AUD/ZAR 10.19
CHF/ZAR 13.95
AED/ZAR 3.76
SGD

Out and about with Dirk Scheepers

Out and about is the column where we chat to people who live or have lived and worked abroad. This week we are talking to Dirk Scheepers, currently living in America.

Where do you live and why exactly there?
I live in New York and would really like to move further south, to Texas, for better weather and no federal state tax. But alas, I work in finance and need to live close to Wall Street.

In what line of work are you?
I work as an institutional broker and trade corporate stocks of companies such as Amazon and Apple.

Do you still speak Afrikaans?
My entire family is still in South Africa, but I speak/listen/read Afrikaans on a daily basis, especially on my podcast, the DS Program. More links are available at the end of this article.

What do you like most about your life there?
I like the shortage of electric fences, very few smash and grab, the relative low murder rate and the fact tha