Archive
Economic Insights: America's & Europe (08/04/25)
The past week marked a defining inflection point for developed markets, as global trade ruptures collided with an already fragile macroeconomic recovery. The imposition of sweeping tariffs by the United States has ignited retaliatory threats, fractured investor sentiment, and forced central banks to reconsider their tightening bias. While labour markets remain resilient in pockets, the broader economic narrative is tilting toward stagflation, with inflationary supply shocks clashing against weakening demand. Markets are now repricing risk, rotating out of growth and into safety, as policymakers face a narrowing window to restore confidence.
Economic Insights: Investing in African Stock Markets (24/03/25)
This article discusses African stock markets, focusing on low IPO activity due to regulatory, market structure, and ecosystem issues. We emphasise the growth potential of African markets, driven by factors like a rising middle class, improved governance, and technological advancements such as mobile money. To boost IPO activity, solutions include attracting domestic retail investors, reducing IPO compliance costs, improving liquidity, and enhancing transparency and reporting standards. We suggest technological leapfrogging to overcome barriers and build stronger, more dynamic financial markets across Africa.
Is it possible to start investing in your early 20s?
Even as young adults in their 20s, are faced with low disposable incomes and inflation, starting small in investing has never been easier. We propose a more proactive approach to managing personal finances that prioritizes investing. The simple adjustment is to start treating investments as a non-negotiable part of financial planning. In this article we emphasise the importance of starting early, cultivating good financial habits, and taking advantage of accessible investment platforms to set a foundation for long-term financial growth.
What if tariffs actually drive US Manufacturing? Autodesk, Inc.
We explore Autodesk, Inc. who provide software tools that aid the manufacturing process from the design to the production stages. We believe the use of Autodesk's software will increase because tariffs and protectionist policies will, to some degree, drive local innovation and manufacturing revival, not just the US but all other economies looking to reduce their independence on China. All manufacturing efforts starts with product design and idea generation before any form of production occurs.
Economic Insights: America's & Europe (17/03/25)
Central bank policy recalibrations, escalating trade wars, and mounting corporate layoffs are converging to create an increasingly volatile investment climate. Investors are now balancing dovish monetary shifts with the detrimental impact of global trade frictions, while equity markets adjust to shifting growth expectations.
Economic Insights: Africa (17/03/25)
South Africa's Budget Speech announced a 0.5% increase in VAT and over R1 Trillion allocated for public infrastructure over the next 3 years. Botswana's economic outlook is downgraded by S&P Global, but Credit Ratings are maintained at 'BBB+’ in the long term and ‘A-2' in the short-term for both foreign and domestic currency.
German 10-Year Bund as a Strategic Asset in the Evolving Macro Landscape
The confluence of macroeconomic, fiscal, and monetary factors makes the German 10-year Bund one of the most attractive assets in the current investment landscape. The shift away from US exceptionalism, coupled with Germany’s unprecedented fiscal expansion and the ECB’s cautious policy stance, has created a favourable environment for Bunds to serve as both a source of stability and a yield-enhancing allocation.
How are Americans reducing their taxes while saving on their medical bills? HealthEquity, Inc.
The use of Health Savings Accounts (HSA's) in the US is rising exponentially. This is mainly due to the tax benefits that come with using HSAs as opposed to traditional savings accounts. As an investment idea, we explore the performance of HealthEquity, Inc. (HQY) America's largest HSA provider and how they are positioned well to capture growth in the coming years and decades.
Economic Insights: Africa (11/03/25)
Zimbabwe's gold-backed ZiG currency continues to face challenges, including a 40% devaluation by September 2024 and rising inflation. In Ghana, the government plans to implement their 'shock therapy' which sees significant spending cuts and tax reforms to address budget deficits, the Ghana PMI rose to 50.5 in February 2025, signalling growth in new business, though GDP growth slowed to 3.6% in Q4 2024. Kenya's economy showed marginal growth, with inflation rising to 3.5% in February 2025, driven by higher food and transport costs.
Economic Insights: Americas & Europe (10/03/25)
Pivotal macroeconomic and market shifts have marked the past week, as developed economies grapple with a resurgent trade war, recalibrating monetary policies, and diverging growth trajectories. Investors are confronting a high-volatility regime as the US enforces aggressive protectionist measures, the Eurozone leans into fiscal expansion, and the UK navigates a complex policy landscape amid persistent inflation risks.
Where to buy all your clothes when the tariffs make everything expensive? Burlington Stores, Inc.
As Trump continues to use tariffs as his main economic weapon, off-price discount stores like Burlington are well positioned to take advantage of the inflation that may come after as consumers start discount-hunting even more. This adds on to the fact that wages have failed to keep up with inflation over the years, and consumer budgets keep getting tighter, which means that consumers are forced to become bargain hunters who are constantly looking for discounts, as disposable incomes keep getting lower. This may drive up the performance of discount stores like Burlington.
UK Private Markets in 2024/2025: Navigating Labour’s Reforms, Market Dynamics, and Investment Trends
The UK’s private markets are experiencing a transformative period, shaped by economic recovery, regulatory shifts under the Labour government, and evolving investor preferences. Private equity and credit remain at the centre of deal-making, but the landscape is increasingly complex. While deal volumes and values are improving, firms must navigate heightened scrutiny from regulators, shifts in tax policy, and growing competition between traditional syndicated lending and private credit.