Traditional Markets Update:

U.S. markets are up across the board S&P 500 +0.8% to 6 869.50, the Nasdaq +1.3%, Dow +0.5%

Key Drivers:

- Fed beige book showed economic stability with modest growth

- Potential Middle-East conflict de-escalation

- Strong tech sector fundamentals

Sector Performance:

- Technology and Consumer Discretionary led gains

- Energy lagged on oil price volatility (USD 83-84 per barrel)

- 8 of 11 S&P sectors advanced

South African Markets:

- Jse All Share +0.14% to 121,278.60 (+37% Y-o-Y)

- Rand weakened to 16.4676 against the Dollar (from a 16.3303 open)

- SA 10YR yield rose to 8.24%, R186 at 6.32%, R2030 at 7.16%

- Bond spreads still show significant premium vs U.S Treasuries

Outlook: Cautiously optimistic with focus on march 17-18 FOMC meeting, though VIX rise (+3.5% to 21.89) suggests some caution

Crypto Market Update:

Bitcoin is down - 2.46% to USD 71 620, Ethereum is down - 3.01% to USD 2 086, with broad market weakness today

Key Drivers:

- Risk-off sentiment across crypto markets

- Technical consolidation after recent rallies

- Possible profit-taking activity

Technical Analysis:

- BTC testing support near USD 70 000

- ETH needs to hold USD 2 000 psychological level

- Synchronised declines suggest market-wide weakness

Outlook: cautiously bearish near-term, watch key support levels for potential reversal signals