Markets in a Nutshell - June 2024

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Markets In A Nutshell — For June 2024

In our monthly podcast, ‘Markets in a nutshell’, Linda Eedes discusses what’s happened in global markets and economies over the past month, how we see things playing out and how Foord is positioned as a result.

Markets In A Nutshell — For June 2024

The narrow US-market rally advanced in June, propelled to nosebleed highs by Wall Street’s relentless optimism. The S&P 500 Index closed the first half of the year more than 14% up. The air is becoming even thinner at the top: almost 60% of the gain was driven by just five stocks — Nvidia, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta and Apple. Nvidia alone accounted for almost a third of the market’s first-half advance.

How Foord Constructs A Balanced SA Equity Portfolio During A Time of Low Economic Growth

Investment professional Linda Eedes talk to portfolio manager Wim Murray about constructing a balanced South African equity portfolio in times of low economic growth.

Is All That Glitters Still Gold?

Investment professional Linda Eedes talks to portfolio manager, Rashaad Tayob about the resilience of gold in 2024. The conversation dives into the unexpected simultaneous rise of gold and US equity markets, the ongoing fiscal challenges facing the US, and the enduring value of gold as a monetary asset.

Instability Will Be Our GNU Reality

As the dust settles on South Africa’s national elections, we can all heave a sigh of relief. With the formation of a clunky Government of National Unity (GNU) that excludes the two most radical parties, South Africa has again walked back from the abyss. Markets nervously cheered the result. Portfolio manager Nancy Hossack discusses the election outcome and what South African investors might expect from the GNU government in the years ahead.

Ways The World Is Getting Better

We certainly don’t have to look too far to find negativity. Whether it’s in the news, via social media or even just through conversations with colleagues or friends and family around the dinner table, we’re fed a constant barrage of bad news. Our ‘negativity instinct’, designed to protect us against risks, leads us to pay a lot more attention to bad news over good news - leaving us with a sombre sense that things are generally going from bad to worse. This is not something specific to South Africans, it’s a worldwide phenomenon.

Anglo American Shaking Up the Global Resources Industry?

Portfolio manager Mike Townshend and investment professional Linda Eedes sat down to discuss the latest developments in the resources industry. They explore the dynamic interplay between Anglo American and BHP Billiton and the evolving landscape of major mining companies and what these changes mean for investors.

How Foord is Positioned for a Shrinking JSE

In this episode, investment professional Linda Eedes sits down with Nick Balkin, Chief Investment Officer in South Africa, to discuss the shrinking JSE and how Foord is adapting its position accordingly.