| Dividends are rolling in from mining companies benefitting from a sharp rise in the prices of most metals in the second half of last year - with the outlook improving as countries start vaccinating against Covid-19. BHP Group has declared a record interim dividend as strong performances from a number of its operations more than offset weak coal prices last year. Glencore has also reinstated its dividend after getting its debt back within target thanks to a strong year for its Marketing arm. Shares of both companies rose strongly. DRDGOLD and Pan African Resources declined, however, despite positive performance from the gold companies - although the gold price did come under pressure yesterday. SPAR's shares also fell sharply after it reported weak sales growth at its local grocery business for the first four months of its new financial year. After great results last year, yesterday's update clearly left investors wanting more. Finally, Resilient REIT is in talks with the Public Investment Corporation that could see it selling a number of its shopping centres to the state-owned money manager. Its shares rose on the news. I hope you have a good day. Stephen Gunnion Managing Editor, InceConnect
The latest from Ingham Analytics The Hong Kong market resumed trading yesterday with Kuaishou Technology closing up at HK$403, valuing it at the equivalent of $216 billion. Tencent shares in a fifth of this, or $43 billion, but small in relation to its own market cap of $920 billion. "Kuaishou bounce" has more on the subject. Other popular notes include "Stop the Game - I want to get off", "All that glitters?" (on Sasol) and "Elevator to the stratosphere?" | 