| Good morning Voornaam,
When it comes to global companies, they don't get much bigger than Amazon and Alphabet. In Magic Markets, the focus is on international businesses and what we can learn from them. In episode 149 brought to you by B2IT, we highlighted the latest numbers and strategic insights at these two companies. With a brand new episode of Magic Markets about to be made available, don't fall behind! You can enjoy episode 149 here>>>
I'm also putting out an early call to register for the next Unlock the Stock event, scheduled for 16th November (next Thursday) at midday. As you know by now, Unlock the Stock is a wonderful way to engage directly with the management teams of listed companies. Karooooo is next on the list, brought to you by A2X. Register to attend here>>>
And if you've been part of the debate around lab-grown diamonds and the impact they are (or are not) having on the diamond industry, then you'll find Ghost Bites particularly interesting this morning. De Beers sales are heading firmly in the wrong direction and the lab-grown vs. mined debate is raging on. I believe that lab-grown is a genuine threat. There are a lot of very smart people who disagree with me.
Where do you sit on that spectrum?
Also, I officially have a Namibian radio segment! Once a week, I do a piece on The Business Report, made possible by IJG. We talked about MTN, Bell Equipment, AECI and Lighthouse Properties in this episode.
Enjoy your Ghost Mail!
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| BRAND NEW: Unlock the Stock |
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| Bell Equipment and Calgro M3 returned to the Unlock the Stock platform in a joint session to share insights into the recent numbers and the strategic outlook.
You can watch the recording here, thanks to our partner A2X. |
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| LATEST: Kool-Aid has an awful aftertaste
(by Dominique Olivier) |
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| | | "Drinking the Kool-Aid" is one of those terms that has become entrenched in the business world.
The origin is rather macabre, to say the least. What can it teach us about charismatic personalities and scammers? |
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| LATEST: Ghost Wrap podcast
(MTN | Woolworths | Pepkor | Octodec | AB InBev) |
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| | | The latest Ghost Wrap podcast needs just a few minutes of your time to get you up to date on MTN, Woolworths, Pepkor, Octodec and AB InBev. Ghost Wrap is brought to you by Mazars. |
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| LATEST: Ghost Stories podcast with Nico Katzke of Satrix |
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| | | Nico Katzke is no stranger to Ghost Stories listeners. There's always so much to learn from him about markets and investing. This time, you also get to enjoy him putting me through my paces in the second half of the show. |
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| LATEST: Magic Markets podcast |
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| In Episode 149 of Magic Markets, we worked through the latest numbers and strategic news from Amazon and Alphabet.
Alphabet owns Google, so you probably use one of the group's services every day of your life. Amazon is coming to South Africa, so that's of great relevance to all of us as well.
Thanks to B2IT, you can get our views on these two important companies. And remember: if you hate it, automate it with B2IT. |
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| LATEST: The ETF revolution - views from Satrix |
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| Kingsley Williams of Satrix gives us nine reasons why the boom in ETFs makes sense.
In my opinion, every investor should be using ETFs in a portfolio. This is why I'm always grateful to Satrix for their insights in Ghost Mail. |
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| DAILY: TreasuryONE Market Update The rand softened yesterday to the R18.50 mark as emerging market currencies traded on the back foot. Aside from general caution around the Fed, this move is likely a result of consolidation after a big recent move against the dollar.
US Treasury Yields are mixed, with yields on the short end of the curve ticking higher while the longer end of the curve has dipped.
Chinese inflation data is due today, followed by Fed Chair Jerome Powell speaking in the evening. |
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| | | Get the latest on Alexander Forbes - OUTsurance, Argent Industrial, AVI, De Beers, Investec, Lesaka Technologies and MiX Telematics to keep you up to date.
It's all available with a single click in Ghost Bites. |
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| Can mined diamonds retain their shine? The lab-grown diamond debate continues to capture my imagination.
I love looking back at the exceptionally successful De Beers (part of Anglo American) marketing campaigns that created hype around diamonds and the culture of expensive rocks as a must-have for people getting married. Diamonds are forever, remember?
I juxtapose this against a younger generation that seems to prefer "experiences" to "things" - with the important additional insight that this is the generation doing most of the engagement and wedding ring buying at the moment. Lab-grown diamonds resonate here because they are much cheaper, leaving more money available for the wedding and especially the honeymoon.
As the American Swiss billboard outside Canal Walk goes, diamonds are for everyone when it comes to the lab-grown variety.
I don't think this is a debate of which one wins over time. In my view, there's room for both, with mined diamonds moving up the pricing spectrum as true luxury goods (where they actually belong, were it not for the De Beers marketing trick).
The question is whether the economics of De Beers can withstand that journey based on the business in its current form.
For more on the diamonds, along with the acquisition of OUTvest from OUTsurance by Alexander Forbes, strong HEPS growth at Argent Industrial, a focus on margins by AVI, Investec's improved earnings guidance, an operating profit at Lesaka Techologies and interim results at MiX Telematics, read Ghost Bites at this link>>>
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| You should expect us in your inbox Monday – Friday. If you don’t receive an email, please check your spam, or junk folder and “move us” into your primary inbox to ensure you get it each morning.
Disclaimer
Our content is intended to be used and must be used for informational purposes only. You must do your own analysis before executing any investments or strategic decisions, based on your own circumstances. We do not provide personalised recommendations or views as to whether an investment approach or corporate strategy is suited to the needs of a specific individual or entity. You should take independent financial advice from a suitably qualified individual who gives due regard to your personal circumstances.
Whilst every care is taken, we accept no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in any of our content.
The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in our content belong solely to the author or quoted individuals and/or entities, and not necessarily to the author's employer, organisation, committee or other group or individual, or any of our affiliates or brand partners. |
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