Blue Label Telecoms Ltd (JSE: BLU) has emerged as a beacon of resilience and growth in the dynamic landscape of South Africa’s stock market. With a remarkable 21% surge in share price year-to-date, Blue Label Telecoms is poised to break free from a two-year downturn, showcasing a robust performance that defies broader market trends. Blue Label Telecoms stands tall despite the South African Stock market experiencing a 3% decline, reflecting growing investor confidence in its fundamental strength and potentially promising earnings outlook.  Source: Trive – Koyfin, Nkosilathi Dube  At ..read more

Zeda Limited (JSE: ZZD) stands as Africa’s premier integrated mobility solutions provider, offering a comprehensive range of services.   Since its listing on the JSE in December 2022 at its initial opening price of R18.00 per share, the company has encountered a challenging journey on the stock market, witnessing a staggering 40.55% loss in market value, with a 16% decline year-to-date. However, amidst these stock market struggles, Zeda has demonstrated steadfast performance in its financials, showcasing double-digit growth across key metrics for the fiscal year ending 30 September ..read more

Discovery Ltd (JSE: DSY) has become a focal point for investors amidst significant fluctuations in its stock price, marking a stark contrast to its successful performance in 2023.   Despite achieving a robust 16% gain last year, the company’s shares have plummeted by 13% year-to-date, sparking concerns among stakeholders. In 2023, Discovery Group demonstrated resilience, delivering strong performances across key segments, driving substantial growth in premiums, revenue, and market value. Notably, total net income surged by an impressive 29% to R86.4 billion, fuelled by substantial g ..read more

South Africa’s largest retail bank, Absa Group Limited (JSE: ABG), is under renewed selling pressure after declining over 5% following the disappointing full-year financial report. While the group managed to scrape by with a 1% rise in headline earnings for the year ended December 2023, surpassing the R100 billion revenue mark for the first time, a closer look reveals concerning cracks in the facade. A wave of bad debts, totalling R15.5 billion, surged through Absa’s books, particularly in its core South African market.   This unexpected rise, coupled with a sluggish economic enviro ..read more

Spur Corporation Limited (JSE: SUR), a South African restaurant franchisor known for its family-friendly brands like Spur and John Dory’s, recently reported a strong financial performance for the first half of 2024. Revenue and profit both increased year-over-year, driven by growth in the core Spur brand and other franchise businesses. The company also successfully acquired Doppio Collection, expanding its portfolio and strengthening its market position.  Looking ahead, Spur Corporation acknowledges the challenging economic climate and is taking proactive steps to mitigate supply chain d ..read more

Sasol Limited (JSE: SOL), a global leader in fuel and chemical production from coal and gas, has recently captured widespread attention with the release of its half-year earnings results.   Despite its prominent position in the industry, Sasol has recently encountered significant challenges, casting shadows over its financial performance and investor sentiment. The company’s share price has witnessed a steep decline, plummeting by 31% last year and continuing its downward trajectory with a 22% year-to-date decrease.   The half-year earnings report revealed a notable 34% de ..read more

The Satrix S&P 500 Feeder Portfolio (JSE: STX 500) emerged as a shining star in 2023, showcasing an impressive 38.72% price appreciation. This remarkable feat was achieved amidst one of the steepest interest rate hiking cycles in recent history by the Federal Reserve.  Designed to mirror the performance of the S&P 500 index in rand value, the fund strategically invests in the iShares Core S&P 500 UCITS ETF. Its success comes as no surprise, considering the S&P 500’s record-breaking ascent and the resilient US economy. As global sentiment leans towards the end of the inter ..read more

The Sygnia Itrix New China Sectors ETF (JSE: SYGCN) has faced a challenging year, aligning with the broader struggles of the Chinese markets and uncertainties within the New China sphere. As of February 19, 2024, the ETF is down over 2% year-to-date, leading its benchmark, the S&P New China Sectors Index, which has declined over 4% year-to-date.   Technical   The 1-day chart of SYGCN reveals a slight recovery within a descending channel trading pattern. Currently, the share price hovers around the 50-SMA within the channel, indicating a potential rebound from recent de ..read more

Sasol Limited (JSE: SOL) recently unveiled its performance metrics for the six months ending December 31, 2023, offering insights into its production and sales. In the face of a macroeconomic environment characterized by volatile conditions, Sasol, a prominent player in the chemical and energy sector, grappled with challenges stemming from weaker oil and petrochemical prices, unpredictable product demand, and inflationary pressures.  Acknowledging the impact of these factors on its operations, the company anticipates continued pricing pressures that may affect sales volumes, margins, and ..read more

The commodity market faced a challenging start to the new year, particularly with metal prices enduring a prolonged downturn. This trend has impacted Glencore plc (JSE: GLN), resulting in a notable year-to-date decline of nearly 12%, coupled with a 6% dip just last week.   Amid this decline, the metal and mining giant experienced a rating downgrade from Deutsche Bank. Concerns regarding production, stemming from asset sales, mine closures, and operational challenges, prompted the downgrade. Despite these challenges, anticipation is building for February, as Glencore is poised to unv ..read more