It wasn't just the Proteas that capitulated yesterday in their fourth test against England; the JSE also fell sharply, following world markets lower as investors took a risk-off stance in response to the spread of the deadly coronavirus in China and beyond. The rand was also caught up in the sell-off, weakening by more than a percent against the dollar, the pound and the euro.

The weaker rand and a rise in the price of gold, which is seen as a safe haven, boosted the JSE's gold producers, with AngloGold Ashanti, Gold Fields and Harmony Gold all improving. Other miners more exposed to the global economy, including African Rainbow Minerals, Exxaro, Northam and Kumba Iron Ore, all fell.

Woolworths also declined after revealing flat to weaker sales of clothing and homeware for the first half of its financial year, although food sales continued to do well. And Sasol was down despite the benefit of the weaker rand. It announced yesterday that it would list its shares on A2X Markets next week.

More on those stories in your newsletter today, along with Investec Property Fund's increasing focus on its European property portfolios and Net1's sale of its South Korean payments business.

Meanwhile, Pembury Lifestyle Group may be adding a chief executive to its list of new hires as it starts the search for a replacement financial director.

Finally, in The Week Ahead, Chris Gilmour looks back at the news that's driven global markets over the past week and what lies ahead.

Have a good day.

Stephen Gunnion

Managing Editor, InceConnect