| Shares of Anglo American and Impala Platinum rallied yesterday after both mining companies released results that appear to have come in even better than expected. Both have benefitted from a strong rise in platinum group metals prices last year, with Implats declaring a record interim dividend and raising its output guidance for the remainder of its financial year. Woolworths' shares were less buoyant on the release of its interim numbers but they rose strongly last month on the back of a trading statement. AB InBev fell 3.5% after the world's biggest brewer reported lower revenue and volumes for 2020 due to the impact of Covid-19 restrictions, including SA's alcohol bans. Meanwhile, the JSE has benefitted from the market volatility that resulted from the pandemic, which boosted trading volumes. However, the stock-exchange operator said there were 20 fewer companies listed on its boards due to de-listings last year. Many of the delistings were due to corporate action and schemes of arrangement, which were covered by our partners at DealMakers. Earlier this week it held its first virtual Ansarada DealMakers Annual Gala Awards to celebrate the achievements of the advisory firms within the M&A industry during 2020. All the details are included in your final newsletter for the week. Even better, you can watch the awards by following this link. Have a good weekend. Stephen Gunnion Managing Editor, InceConnect
The latest from Ingham Analytics The US could be on track for a nominal GDP increase of 7% for 2021, which would mean a good real rebound from 2020. Should that be the case interest rates are way too low. Together with huge fiscal and monetary stimulus, commodity inflation and labour tightening, inflation could return. "Booming along" joins the dots - and cautions. Other popular notes include "Dividend delight" and "Carnival or just a Bloody Circus?" and check out the website too for the Premium Weekly Letter on Sunday archive. | 