Jsedirect With Simon Brown

Anglo-American’s Cash Raid on Anglo-Platinum Anglo-American’s decision to unbundle its stake in Anglo-Platinum raises concerns. Declaring a special dividend of R59 per share wipes out the company’s entire R17.6 billion cash reserves. Implications for investors: selling pressure expected as shares land in new brokerage accounts. China’s Tech Revival? The appearance of Jack Ma and Xi Jinping together could mark a softening stance toward tech companies. Alibaba partners with Apple, integrating its AI into Apple’s ecosystem. Is China reopening the door for its tech giants? Bull Market Momentum Global indices continue to hit all-time highs, with AI and tech stocks leading the charge. Not just tech: European and Asian markets show strength. Are valuations stretched, or is there more room to run? Simon Brown * I hold ungeared positions. All charts by KoyFin | Get 10% off your order    

Market Updates & Analysis: Sasol Reversal Pattern? – Examining Sasol’s technical setup and the significance of a ‘kangaroo tail’ pattern. Rand Stability Amid Trump’s Threats – Despite geopolitical concerns, the rand remains steady. Top 40 at All-Time Highs – Market momentum and investor confidence. South Africa’s Budget Speech (Wednesday, 2 PM SAST) Revenue shortfalls and potential tax bracket adjustments Universal Basic Income and National Health Insurance funding discussion Expectations for the fiscal policy outlook Stock & Sector Insights: Telkom: Revenue up 0.9%, in a turnaround phase, but Simon remains skeptical about telcos. Santam: Strong earnings growth (40-60% increase in HEPS), but insurance sector risks remain. Shoprite*: Consumer stock pullback; long-term bullish outlook despite short-term pressure. China Stocks & ETFs: Alibaba up 40% on Apple collaboration Satrix China ETF – is it time to reconsider investing in China? General sentiment split between ‘China is uninvestable’ vs.

  Trump Trade Tariffs & Global Market Impact: Initial tariffs of 10% (China) and 25% (Canada, Mexico) announced but later revised. U.S.-Canada relations strained, with Warren Buffett warning of reputational damage. Global negotiation shifts—China, Russia, and Europe eye opportunities. Continued U.S.-China trade tensions, including semiconductor restrictions and rare earth tariffs. Market volatility expected; long-term investment strategies recommended. Investment Strategies Amid Uncertainty: Volatility is high—avoid panic selling. Keep cash reserves for opportunities (buy the dip cautiously). Long-term focus: presidential terms are temporary, investments span decades. Interest Rate Decisions & Market Reactions: Bank of England expected to cut rates. U.S. Fed Chair Jerome Powell pauses rate hikes due to inflation concerns. South Africa’s MPC cuts rates, prime now at 11%. Analysts predict one to two more rate cuts in 2024. Gold Market Strength & Outlook: Gold price hovering near $2,900, with

The Cristal Challenge runs until October, with participants picking five local stocks (no ETFs or sub-20c stocks) to hold through the year. Simon’s picks include a mix of stable “banker” stocks and speculative plays: Richemont*: High-end luxury giant with strong fundamentals and global market appeal despite challenges in China. Trading near R3,500, with long-term potential boosted by luxury market recovery and stable global demand. Shoprite*: Dominant grocery retailer in South Africa, benefiting from market share growth and diversified business lines like 60/60 delivery. A steady performer with consistent earnings growth and market dominance, trading at a PE of 24. ADvTech*: Education sector leader, well-positioned to meet growing private schooling and tertiary education demands. Education giant trading below its historical PE average, supported by asset-light growth strategies. Calgro M3*: Affordable housing developer, thriving on demand for low-to-mid-income housing in South Africa. Value pick with

TSMC’s Record-Breaking Results Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) hit $26 billion in quarterly revenue. A strong contender in the AI supply chain with growing global operations. Gold: Continuing the Bull Run Gold remains a strong investment pick for Simon, with a potential to hit $3,000/oz. Gold | Weekly | 21 January 2025 Brent Crude Oil Concerns Rising oil prices could hurt both the global and South African economies. Trump Meme Coins & Meme Coin Mania Trump and Melania meme coins: Novelty or nonsense? Simon unpacks the hype. Grinrod & Mozambique Challenges Operational risks in Mozambique but potential opportunities with Transnet’s private rail plans. Sasol: A Case of Caution Chemical spin-offs and high oil prices spark discussion, but Simon isn’t convinced to buy. Cristal  Challenge Simon’s picks for the Cristal  Crystal Challenge: Shoprite*, Purple Group*, ADvtTch*, Calgro M3*, and Richemont*. Simon Brown * I hold ungeared positions. All charts by KoyFin | Get 10% off your order

For the twelfth year in a row Marc Ashton, Keith McLachlan & Simon Brown get together and make three predictions each for year ahead. They then also give their expectations for the local Top40 index and the Rand against the US$. But first every year they start by scoring their previous year predictions to keep things real and honest.

In the final show of the year Simon looks back at the many local and offshore winners (and a few losers) of 2024. There have been some excellent returns, but will they carry on into 2025?

  Boxer IPO Hits the Market Boxer* (JSE code will be BOX) lists on 28 November, debuting at R54/share after a highly oversubscribed IPO. Strategies discussed for trading or investing in Boxer shares, including buying through Pick n Pay shares. Key takeaway: Patience is key; wait for potential pullbacks. Two-Pot Retirement Savings and Market Impact Early evidence of consumer spending from the two-pot retirement system. Stocks like Mr. Price*, Pepkor, and Keith McLachlan’s picks (e.g., Afrimat, Netcare) reviewed as beneficiaries. Satrix 40 ETF Turns 24 Launched in 2000, the Satrix 40 has delivered an annualized return of 11.3%. Impact: Introduced passive investing and slashed fees for South African investors. Bitcoin's Psychological Barrier at $100,000 Bitcoin fell short of the $100K milestone, retracing to around $93K. Analysis of big psychological levels in markets and what this means for Bitcoin's momentum. Bitcoin | Weekly | 27 November 2024 Anglo-Platinum Share Sale Anglo-American reduces its

  October Inflation Local CPI at 2.8%, yet prime is 11.5% ahead of the MPC decision this afternoon. The gap is far to wide, SARB needs to cut aggressively. South Africa | Prime vs. CPI Gold and Bitcoin Gold has bounced, but is this for real? Bitcoin heading for US$100k Rand weakness The US$ remains string and is hurting the Rand. US$ Index Astral results Good results Paid back R1.1billion short-term debt But volatile, a trading stock. Simon Brown * I hold ungeared positions. All charts by KoyFin | Get 10% off your order  

  Market Overview Crypto Surge, Gold Decline: Bitcoin rallies as investors shift from gold to crypto. Gold hit a recent high of $2,800 but is now pulling back, possibly towards $2,300-$2,400. Central banks continue to buy gold as a hedge against U.S. dollar dominance and geopolitical risks. [caption id="attachment_43623" align="aligncenter" width="849"] Gold | Weekly | 13 November 2024 Rand Weakness: The ZAR weakened above 18 to the dollar, driven by strong U.S. dollar demand amidst market volatility. South African Rand overshoots due to its high liquidity, making it vulnerable to sharp moves. Trump's Impact on Crypto Market speculation suggests Trump may be crypto-friendly, unlike the current SEC chair Gary Gensler, known for his strict regulatory stance. Potential shifts in the regulatory landscape could benefit cryptocurrencies, particularly Bitcoin. Simon holds Bitcoin and advises caution: ensure crypto is stored in a hardware wallet for safety. Bitcoin | Weekly | 13 November 2024 Local Telco Sector: Vo

Episode Summary: Simon Brown dives into the week’s biggest financial and economic stories, covering Trump’s election win, Nvidia's inclusion in the Dow, rate cuts expected from the FOMC and BOE, and the latest updates on Murray & Roberts, palladium, and gold. Recorded after market open, this episode sheds light on key trades, trends, and the shifting global landscape. Trump's Victory – What’s the Trade? Trump’s presidential win sparks market reactions, with immediate rallies in the S&P, Nasdaq, and Bitcoin. Simon discusses potential policy impacts, such as tariffs, technology restrictions on China, and implications for commodities, oil, and the South African economy. Notes on the uncertainty of Trump’s policies and their potential effects on inflation, EVs, and cryptocurrency. Nvidia in the Dow; Intel Out Nvidia enters the Dow Jones, replacing Intel. Simon critiques the Dow's price-based index system but acknowledges Nvidia’s stock performance, fuelled by strong demand from major tech firms. Discus

  Local Inflation Update Inflation at 3.8% - lowest since March 2021 (3.5 years ago) Well below SARB's target range midpoint of 4.5% Q3 year-on-year inflation at 4.3% (vs SARB's expected 4.4%) SA CPI YonY September 2024 November MPC Meeting Outlook Rate cut expected, but size uncertain Possibility of 25bps vs 50bps cut Factors affecting decision: Rand weakness Rising oil prices Global economic conditions Important titbit about today's SA headline CPI print. It meant that CPI rose by 4.3% y/y in Q3 2024. In Sept, SARB expected 4.4% for Q3, implying Sept print largely in line with their expectations. Therefore, today's number will not change SARB's thinking. Folks should calm down. — Hugo Pienaar (@hugopien) October 23, 2024   Currency Markets US Dollar showing significant strength DXY moved from 100.42 to 104.33 (≈4% increase in one month) Strong capital flows into US Rand trading at R17.73 Potential to move above R18 Long-term targets of R16.80 and R15.50 looking less likely short-term US Electi

  Strong Retail Sales and the Two-Pot System: Retail sales show a positive trend, rising 3.2% in August, exceeding expectations of 2.1%. The Two-Pot System has already released R20 billion in six weeks, with the money used mainly for paying down debt, saving, and spending. Retail sales recovery, though from a low base, is a strong indicator of improved consumer health due to factors like slightly lower interest rates and inflation. South African retail sales | YonY Tribute to Tito Mboweni: Simon reflects on the passing of Tito Mboweni, former Finance Minister and Reserve Bank Governor. Mboweni’s contributions include institutionalising the Reserve Bank’s MPC meetings and implementing key labor reforms during his tenure as Labor Minister. His lasting impact on the country’s economy and financial sectors was highlighted, along with his personality as a Twitter chef and self-styled "Duke of Magoebaskloof." Johnson & Johnson – A Smooth Dividend Play: Simon shares his reasons for holding Johnson & J

Overview: In this episode of JSE Direct, Simon Brown breaks down the latest market updates, key stock analyses, and insights into the South African investment landscape. Episode highlights include discussions on property developers Calgro M3 and Balwin, Capitec’s strong performance, Purple Group’s rise, Afrimat’s challenging update, and Wilson Bailey’s long-term chart breakout. The show also covers upcoming events and Brown's views on Nvidia’s stock movement. Property Developers: Calgro M3* vs. Balwin Calgro M3: Delivered a strong trading update, attributed to its flexibility in targeting lower-income segments. Calgro’s ability to adapt and scale down offerings positions it well, with potential for significant price appreciation. Trading at a low PE of 3.5, Brown argues that in a normal market, it should command a 10x PE, suggesting a fair value of around R9. Balwin: Struggling with higher entry price points in its developments. Despite weaker performance, there may still be value. If results improve in the

  China's Market Rebound Stimulus Measures: The Chinese government has initiated a stimulus, which includes cutting reserve requirements and lowering interest rates. While spending has not picked up fully, the China 50 ETF (in US dollars) has wiped out losses dating back to July 2022. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index shows a similar trend. Market Sentiment: Short squeezes have played a role in pushing the prices of big Chinese companies like Alibaba and Tencent higher. Despite concerns about China's long-term investability (raised by experts like Viv Govender of Rand Swiss), Simon remains optimistic about continued growth in the medium term. Shift in Hot Money: There's been a notable shift away from tech stocks like Apple and Nvidia, with more capital flowing towards China in recent days. Simon discusses the potential for short-term pullbacks, but he sees this as an opportunity. South African ETFs Performance Top Performers: Property ETFs have outperformed, with the CSPROP, Satrix Property, and 1nvest Property ETF

Summary: In this episode of JSE Direct, Simon Brown delves into the latest developments in South African markets, focusing on the impact of China's major economic stimulus and the strengthening of the Rand. Key highlights include: Rand Strength: The Rand has seen notable appreciation, reaching levels of R17.12 to the US dollar. Simon discusses the drivers behind this, particularly US dollar weakness and foreign purchases of South African bonds. He explores possible future movements, with a target of R16.80 and potential for further strengthening. USDZAR | Weekly | 26 Sep 24 Global Stimulus: China's massive stimulus measures, including relaxed lending rules for banks and lower interest rates, are aimed at boosting consumer demand. This is the largest Chinese stimulus since 2008, with significant potential to impact global commodities and bolster the South African economy. Commodities & Bull Market: The commodities market is seeing positive movement, with Chinese demand driving up prices for industrial m

Episode Overview: In this episode, Simon Brown dives into the current economic landscape with a focus on interest rates, inflation, and the state of the South African Rand (ZAR). He also explores asset-light businesses and why they make great investments, followed by a breakdown of the latest market activity and local company results. Rate Cuts & Inflation Outlook: South African CPI (August): 4.4%. A possible drop to 3.5% in October discussed with Johan Els, Chief Economist at Old Mutual. The need for rate cuts to stimulate the economy, with experts debating between 0.25% and 0.5% cuts. Fed decision and its potential market impact. SA Prime and CPI September 2024 ZAR Strength & Market Trends: Rand showing strength, potentially reaching sub-17 levels. Global market highs: S&P 500, NASDAQ, and JSE Top 40. Consumer confidence in the US and South Africa rising but still negative. Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) & Palladium: A strong bounce in PGM stocks, driven by oversold positions and palladi

Summary In this episode of JSE Direct, Simon Brown discusses various topics including the troubles faced by Anglo Platinum, the performance of leisure stocks, Anglo Gold Ashanti's* acquisition of an Egyptian gold miner, and the impact of two pot withdrawals. He also touches on the future of PGMs, the growth of electric vehicles, and the psychology of markets.  Takeaways Anglo Platinum is facing challenges as Anglo American wants to get rid of their stake, causing a sell-off in the market. Anglo Platinum weekly chart The PGMs market is uncertain, with palladium and platinum prices experiencing fluctuations. The World Platinum Council projects a second year of meaningful platinum deficits, with jewelry demand expected to rise. The growth of electric vehicles is impacting the demand for PGMs, but the market is still uncertain. Investors should wait for positive price action before considering investments in PGMs. Anglo Gold Ashanti's acquisition of an Egyptian gold miner raises questions about the use of eq

Episode Summary: In this episode of JSE Direct, Simon Brown delves into the impact of anticipated interest rate cuts and how they may affect various sectors and stocks. He shares his thoughts on potential beneficiaries like consumer stocks, REITs, and companies with high levels of debt. The episode also covers key updates on Nvidia's earnings, Nike's stock valuation, and a new ETF listing by ETFSA. Interest Rate Cuts and Market Impact: Jerome Powell's Jackson Hole Speech: The anticipation of rate cuts as early as September, with an expected reduction of around 75 basis points by the end of the year. Benefiting Sectors: Companies with significant debt, consumer stocks (Mr Price, Foschini, Shoprite), and REITs are likely to benefit from lower interest rates. Sector-Specific Insights: REITs: Discusses the potential for real estate investment trusts like Storage, Spear, and the concerns around office spaces with high vacancy rates. Consumer Stocks: Simon reiterates his positive outlook on consumer-focused comp

ETFSA is listing an Actively Managed ETF, The ETFSA Balanced Foundation Prescient AMETF (JSE code: ETFSAB).  Simon spoke with Gareth Stobie from ETFSA about the ETF, the listing process, where it fits in a portfolio and what it will be holding. IPO opens: 26 August 2024 Listing date: 02 September 2024 JSE code: ETFSAB TER: 0.52% ETFSAB