Do you have your own business? If you do, then don't miss the next bizval webinar scheduled for Wednesday at midday. The topic is sales-driven value creation, featuring special guests Garth Jemmett from We Explain Stuff and Johan Taljaard from Aurik. I'm excited about this one and attendance is free, but you need to reserve your spot here>>>

A new week means a new Ghost Wrap podcast. Brought to you by Mazars, this is a whirlwind summary of the most important news from the prior week, with enough insights to make sure you really know what's going on. For the latest on Richemont, ArcelorMittal, Pick n Pay, Truworths, Mr Price, Super Group, Northam Platinum and Vodacom, listen to the podcast here>>>

Although the SARB didn't hike last week, it's still very important to understand more about how interest rates impact equity values, drive earnings at banks (to a point) and affect consumer businesses. In Episode 134 of Magic Markets, we touched on all these points. Find it here>>>

For something with a different flavour, you can read the latest article from Satrix on sustainable investing and how their ETF products offer investors various opportunities in this space. Read it here>>>

Treading water everywhere

At the moment, it feels like many companies on the JSE are literally just treading water, with slow revenue growth and incredible pressures on input costs. When you factor in the interest rate cycle as well, it's a tough environment for local equities.

We saw more of this at the end of last week, with the likes of Mr Price and Vodacom moving forward but hardly at an inspiring rate. Still, it could be worse, like at Aveng where both underlying operating companies are currently loss-making.

On the plus side, Tongaat-Hulett seems to have found an equity partner and that is extremely good news for the local sugar industry, even though I doubt existing shareholders will get anything from the business rescue process. We also saw pretty upbeat production guidance from Glencore, following on from a mixed bag of mining production updates earlier in the week. Finally, Hulamin managed to settle the NUMSA labour dispute without it getting out of hand.

For all these updates and more, be sure to read Ghost Bites this morning>>>

Staying below R18.00 to the dollar

For now at least, the rand is keeping it together under R18.0 0 to the dollar. Despite the SARB's decision not to hike rates, there has been no noticeable impact on the currency with the dollar facing pressure. Following last week's inflation report, the dollar has been in a downward spiral and the market is cautious about the upcoming Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting and indications around potential future hikes.

It's a busy week ahead, with the European Central Bank and Bank of Japan set to make interest rate decisions alongside the US. There are a couple of important data releases as well, but TreasuryONE notes that the primary focus in the market will be on the Fed's decision regarding a potential 25 basis points hike that the market is currently anticipating.

Good luck with the start of your week!