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The major global markets mostly ended their slide in December, either
staging weak recoveries or posting smaller losses. In the US, the Dow Jones
Industrial Average built on its small November rise by ending 1.43% higher at 12
218, and the S&P 500 ended 0.85% up at 1 258, on the back of better news
about the American economy. In Europe markets ended stronger, but could not
erase their November losses. Only Switzerland managed to recoup its losses,
rising 5.02% to 5 936. The worst performer overall was China's Shenzhen A index,
which plummeted 12.93% to 907.
The picture was mixed for African markets. Two of the larger African
markets, Nigeria and Kenya, ended December stronger, rising by 3.64% and 1.21%,
respectively. The other major market, Egypt, continued downward, slumping 9.90%
to 3 622. Among the three SADC markets, Botswana and Mauritius recovered their
prior month's losses, but Namibia gave up some of November's strong gains,
ending 0.20% lower to close at 838.
Closer to home, the JSE ended December weaker, falling by 2.52% to 31
986. Only the Financial Index was higher. Industrial and resources shares both
ended lower, with gold shares having a tough month. The Gold Mining Index sunk
by 11.14%. The AltX gave up most of its 15.20% gain of the previous month,
losing 11.82% to close at 1 223.
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