The JSE has had a strong start to the year, hitting a new high in the middle of last week and building on its gains in the following days. Resource stocks did particularly well, with Sasol rallying about 25% in the first trading week of 2021 as the oil price rose and the rand weakened.

While the market has been supported by resource counters and the likes of Naspers and Prosus, many companies exposed to the local economy continue to flounder, particularly those reliant on infrastructure spending. Two smaller firms leave the JSE this month, with tough operating conditions and poor liquidity amongst the factors cited for their delistings.

Infrastructure supplies group Accntuate will stop trading on the JSE's AltX on the 26th, followed by the suspension of Mazor Group's listing a day later. There are undoubtedly many more unlisted companies facing similar difficulties.

Hopefully, the government's promise to invest in infrastructure to resuscitate the economy will yield results before more companies are forced to take such drastic measures.

I hope you have a good week.

Stephen Gunnion

Managing Editor, InceConnect