Markets took a breather from recent gains on Friday due to concerns about the rapid spread of the coronavirus and the impact it may have on the Chinese economy and beyond. In the US, the benchmark S&P 500 index also retreated from a record high despite a strong-than-expected employment report for January.

With little local news to drive the JSE, the All Share fell close to half a percent, while the rand weakened above R15 to the dollar as the US currency strengthened on the back of the jobs numbers.

In The Week Ahead, Chris Gilmour looks back at some of the factors that gave the markets direction last week and looks ahead to the rest of the week, including President Cyril Ramaphosa's state of the nation address on Thursday.

In company news, Pioneer Foods expects to be in a position this week to update investors on its pending takeover by US foods and beverages giant PepsiCo and, after a five-year process, Mediclinic has finally been given the regulatory go-ahead to buy a Klerksdorp-based hospitals group. Also, EOH has appointed a new chair and Italtile has tempered expectations for its full-year performance.

Finally, follow this link to find out how you can balance your retirement annuities with Section 12J investments, which can be used to reduce taxpayers' income tax or capital gains tax liabilities.

I hope you have a good week.

Stephen Gunnion

Managing Editor, InceConnect

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