South African Markets - Factors to watch on May 20

SA40 −1.17% The following scheduled economic events, equity and currency market moves may affect South African markets on Wednesday. ECONOMIC EVENTS April consumer price index (ZACPIY=ECI) March retail sales (ZARET=ECI) SOUTH AFRICAN MARKETS South Africa's rand weakened on Tuesday as investors monitored developments in the Middle East after U.S. President Donald Trump paused a planned attack on Iran. On the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the Top-40 index SA40 was last down 1%. GLOBAL MARKETS Asian stocks fell for a fourth straight session on Wednesday as war-driven inflation fears hammered bonds, while investors awaited earnings from Nvidia to see whether the world's most valuable company might help markets navigate higher borrowing costs. WALL STREET Wall Street's main indexes closed lower on Tuesday with the Nasdaq leading declines, after the benchmark 10-year Treasury yield climbed to its highest level in more than a year on mounting inflation concerns as oil prices stayed elevated and investors were anxious about the lack of a peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran. GOLD Gold prices slipped on Wednesday to their lowest point in 1-1/2 months, as high Treasury yields and a firm dollar outweighed optimism over a potential U.S.-Iran peace agreement. EMERGING MARKETS For the top emerging markets news, double click on - - - - Some of the main stories out in the South African press: NEWS24 - Will Pick n Pay come back for more? Analysts weigh in after 4.7 billion rand ($281.40 million) Boxer bookbuild ($1 = 16.7022 rand)