Strong performance from the markets over the last few days has re-couped this year’s losses and technology shares have outperformed.

The US consumer confidence index rose in January by 2,3 points to 55,9, but in February this has promptly fallen back by 10,5 points to 46.

On a monthly basis, all governments measure the quantum of inflows into and from their country.

This week we take a closer look at the emerging markets, currencies and specifically the rand versus the US dollar.

For investors moving funds offshore into various asset classes, there is often the additional factor of selecting the appropriate currency.

Local vehicle sales numbers — seen as a lead economic indicator — have been released for January.

Last week the US released their fourth-quarter GDP number. On the surface this looked very good.