| Negative surprises don't go down well with investors, as intu Properties was reminded yesterday. It's difficult to know whether it was the expected fall in rental income or the prospect of a rights issue that resulted in the 20% drop in its share price - or possibly both. However, the decline will make the shopping centre owner's cash call even more expensive if it goes ahead. In the meantime, it is in talks to sell more of its centres to reduce debt. South32 received a better reception to its announcement that it has finally reached agreement for the sale of its local coal operations to Seriti Resources. Seriti also bought some of Anglo American's Eskom-tied coal assets as it exited the sector, which seems better suited to local, empowered companies. More on those stories in today's newsletter, along with a business update from beleaguered construction group Aveng, which is making progress in stabilising its operations. Also, energy group Renergen may soon have a new anchor shareholder. Ingham Analytics still rates FirstRand as the outperformer among the four big banks and has issued new research on the group, which you can access in today's newsletter. And if Fintech raises your interest as an investment, Bridge Capital believes that My-iMali has broken the back of the customer acquisition and trust problem (facing all other competitors in this space) by moving upstream to employers. That's one of the reasons behind their recommendation in this start-up opportunity space on the Uprise.Africa platform. My-iMali is about Money Made Easy for employers. The offering is targeted specifically to our market's unique needs, trends and drivers with products and services which are unique. Follow this link if you'd like to find out more. Finally, it's only a few days to go before Strauss & Co's summer sale, which will be held on Monday, 11 November at 89 Central Street, Houghton, in Johannesburg. Among the works being showcased is Lucas Sithole's Wounded Buffalo. Click here for more on the Sithole's monumental bronze as we as other exceptional bronzes by trailblazing sculptors including Ezrom Legae and Edoardo Villa. I hope you have a good day. Stephen Gunnion Managing Editor, InceConnect
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