MarketStandard with Simon brown 18 May 2020 (#006)

**Global** / UK two-year government bonds traded negative last week as UK GDP -2% for Q1, -5.8% for March & retail sales fall 19% year on year. Biggest in 25 years / Tencent's Q1:20 results showed a +19% jump in gaming subscriptions, overall Group revenue grew +26% and, on almost all metrics, the Group beat analyst estimates. / US, jobless claims came out as another nasty number today, now totally around 36m (the worst number since the Great Depression) while April retail sales collapsed -16.4% m/m. **Local** / Barloworld is attempting to back out of its deal to buy Tongaat Hulett's Starch business due to COVID-19 likely negatively impacting the business's EBITDA and triggering a "Material Adverse Clause".  / Dis-Chem announced the acquisition of 100% of Baby City / Richemont released FY 20 results showing revenue flat but profits collapsing by two-thirds. and are proposing a possible warrant instead of a dividend / Strong Aspen update while Life healthcare says EPS for full year likely 20% lower after mid year was +12%. / Knockout Sibanye Stillwater results that saw debt down 40%. / Impala Platinum Mine has temporarily suspended operations at its Marula Platinum mine in Limpopo. This follows the detection of six more COVID-19 cases among workers at the plant. =====