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South African oil and chemicals group, Sasol (+2.17%) reached a record high of R179.06. Clothing retailer, Foschini (+3.96%) led the retail index (+0.75%) into positive ground - it will soon reach the 20 000 level.

The euro and pound bullied the rand into losing over 1% on Friday. The gold price moves almost always in the opposite direction as the dollar and for the past 3 months it may suggest that speculators were caught in a bear trap.

The high global oil price (+0.05%) has yet to have a significant impact on global economic growth. The world’s most watched equity index, the Dow Jones (-0.40%) lost ground as the US trade balance reached a lower than expected $57bn deficit in April.

In Europe, the FTSE 100 and DAX were the losers on Friday as they lost 0.20% and 1.15% respectively. The Nikkei 225 (-0.52%) is currently in the negative as a recent government report showed that capital spending rose more than initial estimates as deflation fears as easing.

Interesting stats due for release this week is the motor trade sales for March tomorrow afternoon.