The markets entered the New Year long weekend on the back foot, with the JSE slipping 0.4% to reduce 2020's gains to just 4.1% - although if you include dividends (for the few companies that still paid them) the All Share rose 7.1%, with the Top 40 index gaining 10%. Not a great outcome, but after March's massive decline it was a decent recovery.

With light volumes and little news, there was little to drive the JSE on the final trading day of 2020. AngloGold Ashanti announced it had completed the sale of its stake in the Sadiola gold mine - and also a portfolio rationalisation it started in 2014. That also resulted in the sale of its last remaining gold assets in South Africa to Harmony Gold Mining.

The Covid-19 pandemic took its toll on ELB Group last year, making an already difficult situation worse for the mining services company. Minority shareholders have now given it the green light to buy them out and delist from the JSE.

Meanwhile, Labat Africa is making a comeback and expects to report a much reduced full-year loss as it switches focus and grows its medicinal cannabis business.

Finally, in The Week Ahead, Chris Gilmour looks back at the last moments of 2020 and the hope that's being placed on the rollout of Covid vaccines as we enter the new year.

I hope a happy and prosperous 2021 lies ahead for you.

Stephen Gunnion

Managing Editor, InceConnect