Employment data came in slightly mixed, with 315,000 jobs being added to nonfarm payroll employment in August, above forecasted estimates of 300,000. The unemployment rate rose to 3.7%, ahead of expectations that it would remain at 3.5%. The labor force participation rate jumped 0.3% in August, to 62.4%, just shy of its prepandemic level. This is a very positive development for the economy if it continues, as it’s a signal of increased labor supply. In a sign of good news on the inflation front, upward pressure on wages eased in August. Wage growth fell to 3.8% annualized, compared with 5.8% in July. Wage growth of around 3% to 4% is consistent with the Fed’s 2% inflation target.

According to the most recent Global Fund Manager Survey from Bank of America, canvassing opinion from 250 investment managers with combined assets of $752bn, for the first time since August 2020 more fund managers now expect growth stocks to outperform value stocks in the next 12 months. Almost all the investors polled expect US inflation to decline over the next twelve months as fears of a recession grow. This recession may be an environment in which investors are more willing to pay up for companies that can deliver strong revenue growth, while it may also lead to the US Federal Reserve slashing interest rates, potentially boosting their valuations.

The value of the U.S. dollar has been on a tear this year and has appreciated considerably compared with other currencies. For the year to date, the dollar’s value compared with an index of currencies has risen 13%, including an appreciation of 14% versus the euro and 19% against the yen. The Euro recently dropped below parity to the dollar for the first time in two decades. The difference in real yields between the US and eurozone appears to drive the dollar’s gains. The pound has weakened nearly 15% this year against the dollar and fell to its lowest level against the dollar since 1985. The expected hit to economic growth combined with a widening trade deficit are weighing on the pound. Surging inflation which is currently at the highest level among all G-7 nations and the prospects of a looming recession are causing the pound weakness.

whilst recent months have been challenging and central banks’ commitment to bring inflation under control, despite the inherent risks to the growth outlook, that shook both equity and bond markets in August. Volatility is part and parcel of long-term investing. The growth prospects of the portfolio are strong, and we remain mindful of the importance of structural growth drivers, despite near-term cyclical headwinds.

The South African stock market ended the month of August down -1.3% % following global peers lower this week after a selloff across all sectors. MTN and Old Mutual ended the month of August down -10.70% and -10.30% respectively. Massmart was August’s top performer 57% off the back of an announcement that Walmart is looking to buy up the remaining shares it does not already own. South African headline inflation increased to a 13-year high of 7.8% in July 2022 – remaining well above the upper limit of the SARB’s 3–6% target range. South Africa’s unemployment rate remains at elevated levels at 33.9% (2Q22) marginally down from the previous quarter. The rand weakened over the week to end at R17.28/$. The rand is likely to remain highly volatile, affected significantly by economic data and policy decisions in the US in particular, with the US possibly seeing the quickest economic recovery in 2023, although uncertainty levels are high currently. South Africa recorded a trade surplus of R24.8 billion in July, up from a surplus of R24.2 billion in June. Absa’s Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) rebounded in August after a dip in July. The index rose to 52.1 from 47.6 last month, beating estimates of 48.2. South Africa is pushing ahead with its plan to create a new state-owned power company. The proposed new company, called Generation 2, will be formed by converting three coal-fired plants, that were set for decommissioning, into gas-burning generators.

All performance figures in ZAR unless otherwise stated.

The Iza Global Equity Fund declined by 2.82%, while the Iza Global Balanced Fund by 2.14% and the Stable Model Portfolio by 1.97% (all GBP returns) for August.

Looking at the underlying fund managers we find that Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust and Smithson were the portfolio’s biggest detractors as they fell 6.5% and 7.4% respectively. The moves came as the 2-year U.S. Treasury yield topped 3.5%, the highest level since November 2007.That weighed on rate-sensitive growth stocks. Nvidia (NVDA) fell on news that the U.S. government imposed a new license requirement for the sale of graphics cards to China. The largest portfolio equity holding, the Fundsmith Equity fund held steady only losing 0.70% for the month of August. The top 5 contributors in the month were Paypal, Automatic Data Processing, Philip Morris, Pepsico and Brown-Forman.

The top 5 detractors were Waters, IDEXX, Novo Nordisk, L’Oréal and Church & Dwight. Fundsmith have also exited their position in Kone this month. For the month the portfolio’s holding in gold declined by 3.53%. The credit elements of the portfolio retreated in August. The Invesco Sterling Bond Fund fell 4.01% for the month.

In a sign of good news on the inflation front, upward pressure on wages eased in August. Wage growth fell to 3.8% annualized, compared with 5.8% in July. Wage growth of around 3% to 4% is consistent with the Fed’s 2% inflation target. Looking ahead we continue to proceed with caution in the near term and continuously evaluate our portfolio holdings.