Tag: portfolio management

I write this from London on the eve of England’s first game at the FIFA World Cup. Before a ball is kicked, the airwaves already fill with debate. Has Thomas Tuchel made a mistake by leaving out star names such as Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Trent Alexander-Arnold? While some people call for a public inquiry, I can understand Tuchel’s choices as an investment manager.

Gold has always held a unique place in the global financial system. It doesn’t generate income or pay dividends. However, when inflation spikes, markets turn volatile or currencies weaken, gold often bucks the trend and rises to the occasion. In 2025, we’ve seen this pattern repeat itself. Gold has climbed to near-record highs.

In this vidcast, we discuss the BRICS currency announced at the recent gathering of member nations in Russia. We also acknowledge the confirmation that South African Airways is now officially debt-free. And we examine what this development means for the national carrier’s future.

Prosus is successfully delivering on its commitments. The fundamentals of its operating businesses are improving, driving profitable growth. The ongoing open-ended buyback continues to compound value over time and the removal of the cross-holding agreement has greatly simplified the Group’s structure.

Naspers is successfully delivering on its commitments. The fundamentals of its operating businesses are improving, driving profitable growth. The ongoing open-ended buyback continues to compound value over time and the removal of the cross-holding agreement has greatly simplified the Group’s structure.

2022 was an extremely tough year for global fixed income assets, with long bond yields rising sharply in developed markets resulting in one of the worst years for bond markets in almost a century. Emerging market bonds suffered both from a correlated move higher in yields in line with developed market bonds, but also from heightened volatility.

As capital markets grapple with profound shifts in the macro-economic and geo-political landscapes, for investors, 2022 is turning into a year we’d rather forget. Following relative calm over the South African winter, volatility in bond, equity and currency markets recently returned with a vengeance.

The number one priority for a fund manager is identifying appropriate investments and combinations of these that offer the best risk-return profile for the fund managed. This challenge has and continues to face all portfolio managers, even when investing in income-generating assets, which are generally viewed as low-risk investments.

Greenwashing is the practice of giving the wrong impression, providing false information, or fabricating a story about how a company and its products, or an investment solution, are environmentally friendly or beneficial in an environmental, social or governance (ESG) context.

Oil and gas companies looking to establish winning positions in the decarbonisation transition and beyond cannot achieve that goal by themselves. They will need the help of their customers, particularly those that are heavily dependent on hydrocarbons, and adjacent sectors, and be part of developing the cross-sectoral actions.