China: investing in the world’s first electro-state
Following recent research trips, the Ninety One Global Environment team report back from the world’s first ‘electro-state’.
8 Aug 2025
11 minutes

US equity markets rallied in July, extending their winning streak on the back of robust corporate earnings, resilient economic data, and cooling trade tensions. The tech sector once again stole the spotlight, with strong quarterly results from the likes of Microsoft and Meta reviving talks of ‘tech-ceptionalism.’ Economic indicators from the US offered little reason for concern: GDP growth beat expectations, hiring remained steady and inflation appeared sufficiently contained. Meanwhile, trade agreements with several key US trading partners helped calm tariff anxieties, providing additional tailwinds to an already upbeat market.
In the UK, equities staged a notable rebound, shrugging off domestic political jitters to outperform global peers. Global risk appetite and stabilising trade dynamics provided the backdrop for a strong month, with firmer results from healthcare and defence firms offering an extra boost. South African equities joined the global rally, though gains were more measured as caution set in ahead of the trade deadline with the US. The US agreed to extend the trade deadline with China, easing pressure on the tech and manufacturing sectors and lifting equities within the region higher.
| Indices (total return in local currency) | |
|---|---|
| S&P 500 | 2.2% |
| Nasdaq Composite | 3.7% |
| MSCI ACWI | 1.4% |
| Nikkei 225 | 1.4% |
| EuroStoxx 600 | 0.9% |
| FTSE 100 | 4.3% |
| Hang Seng Index | 3.1% |
| SSE Composite | 3.7% |
Source: Bloomberg as at 31 July 2025.

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