Weekly Markets Pulse: Africa Outperforms as Trade Talks Rattle Markets

BREAKING NEWSMay 11, 2025 at 10:40 AM UTC

TLDR

Global markets showed mixed performance in the week, with African exchanges mostly positive
U.S. indices volatile amid trade tensions, and Asian and European bourses edging higher
Investors digested economic data, earnings, and geopolitical developments, shaping divergent trends

Global markets showed mixed performance in the week ending May 9, 2025, with African exchanges mostly positive, U.S. indices volatile amid trade tensions, and Asian and European bourses edging higher. Investors digested economic data, earnings, and geopolitical developments, shaping divergent regional trends across equities.

BRVM (Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières)

BRVM Composite Index rose 1.9% to 295.02.
BRVM 30 Index advanced 1.94% to 148.13.
Market breadth was positive with 25 stocks up, 17 down, and 6 unchanged.
Top gainer: UNIWAX Côte d’Ivoire surged +36.67%.
Biggest loser: TOTAL Côte d’Ivoire, down -27.13% to 2,390 FCFA.
Trading volume: 288,693 shares, down 78%, while turnover rose 49% from the prior session.
Market cap: XOF 11.4 trillion.

Nigerian Stock Exchange (NGX)

NGX All-Share Index fell 0.46% to 108,733.40.
Losses were led by Transcorp Power (-9.98%) and Haldane McCall (-9.57%).
Top gainers: Sterling Bank and Associated Bus Company, both up 10%.
Total shares traded: 459 million, with a market value of NGN 11.16 trillion.
Decline in volume (-17%) and deals (-6%).

Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE)

FTSE/JSE All Share Index rose 1.07% to 91,861.21.
Visual International Holdings soared 100%, leading gainers.
York Timber Holdings dropped -7.77%, worst performer.
Volume: 276.5 million shares, market value ZAR 22.27 billion, market cap at ZAR 21.4 trillion.

Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE)

NSE All Share Index (NASI) added 0.59% to close at 126.87.
Eveready East Africa gained +9.76%, Sanlam Kenya plunged -9.82%.
Traded volume: 24.59 million shares, value KES 457.7 million.
Market cap: KES 1.98 trillion.

United States

All three major indices were volatile, affected by U.S.-China trade negotiations.
Dow Jones Industrial Average: Fell 0.2% on the week, closing at 41,249.38.
S&P 500: Down 0.5% to 5,659.91.
Nasdaq Composite: Slipped 0.3%, ending at 17,928.92.
Trade tension loomed as President Trump hinted at 80% tariffs on China despite some progress in talks.

Europe

FTSE 100 (UK)

Closed the week up 0.68% at 8,554.80.
Momentum was moderate, with fluctuations across the energy and industrial sectors.

Euro Stoxx 50

Rose 0.73% to 5,309.74.
Strength seen across financials and luxury goods ahead of earnings reports.

Asia

SSE Composite Index (Shanghai)
Gained 1.76% to 3,342.00, one of the strongest weekly performances globally.
Positive sentiment driven by expectations of policy support and tech rebound.

Key Takeaways

Investor sentiment was divided across regions as trade tensions, policy signals, and earnings shaped global market dynamics. In the U.S., equities ended the week slightly lower, with the S&P 500 down 0.5%, the Nasdaq dipping 0.3%, and the Dow losing 0.2%. Volatility was driven by anticipation around high-stakes U.S.-China trade talks, with President Trump suggesting a potential 80% tariff on Chinese imports. While markets hoped for de-escalation, clarity remained elusive, keeping traders cautious. Meanwhile, African markets like the BRVM and NGX delivered robust returns, reflecting strong corporate results and investor appetite for undervalued stocks. BRVM’s indices led the continent with a 1.9% gain, while Nigeria’s NGX posted a modest weekly drop despite strong individual stock performance. European indices such as the Euro Stoxx 50 and FTSE 100 climbed steadily, while China’s SSE Composite rallied 1.76%, outperforming major peers. Overall, global markets hovered in a holding pattern, balancing optimism with geopolitical and policy uncertainty.

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