Opportunities & pitfalls of investing at sentiment extremes
The debate over whether the US will experience a hard, soft or no landing was of little consequence during the quarter. Despite the market now pricing in just three rate cuts in 2024 compared to six at the start of the year, the MSCI All-Country World Index rose 8% in the first quarter. Anything artificial intelligence (AI) remained the dominant theme, however, performance broadened across sectors and regions. Both the MSCI World Index of developed markets and the MSCI Emerging Markets Index were higher, while the former outperformed – an all too familiar dynamic.
GLP-1s are shrinking more than patients
Obesity is a growing global health concern, with the prevalence nearly tripling since 1975. Traditional interventions like diets and exercise have struggled to curb the epidemic, but a new class of drugs, GLP-1 agonists, shows promise. Developed by pharmaceutical giants Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, these drugs are proving effective in combating obesity by reducing appetite and increasing satiety.
Electric Vehicles & Where to Invest
Electric vehicle markets are currently experiencing exponential growth, with sales surpassing 10 million vehicles in 2022. EVs accounted for 14% of all new car sales, up from around 9% in 2021 and less than 5% in 2020.
Governments around the world are implementing regulations and incentives to increase the uptake of electric vehicles. Underpinned by a favourable regulatory backdrop, global EV sales are expected to reach 40 million or 40% of all cars sold by 2030.
AI to drive the next leg of cloud adoption
Data is the new oil, and the cloud is the new pipeline.
Stimulus measures to support China’s recovery
China’s reopening optimism has faded just as quickly as it emerged. A raft of data releases over the last several months have pointed to a sharp slowdown in growth following a buoyant first quarter. The emerging weakness has pulled the handbrake on the enthusiasm that surrounded the abolishment of the country’s zero-COVID policy at the […]
Aspen – Growth potential trumps short-term headwinds
Aspen – Growth potential trumps short-term headwinds
Complexity unlocked
Prosus has announced that it will be eliminating the unwieldly cross-holding structure with Naspers.
The rand hits record low on Russian arms accusation
The rand, bonds and domestically exposed equities fell sharply yesterday following US ambassador, Reuben Brigety’s assertion that South Africa supplied Russia with weapons and ammunition when a Russian ship, the Lady R, docked in Simon’s Town late last year.
The Age of Man Versus (and?) Machine
Over the last few months, conversations around artificial intelligence (AI) have dominated in both social settings and around boardroom tables.
The future of OUTsurance
The listing of OUTsurance on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange has created one of the most direct ways to invest in a predominantly property & casualty (P&C) insurer.