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Good morning Voornaam,

Well, we got close. As mentioned in Ghost Mail Weekender yesterday, there's no shame in losing to a country with 1.4 billion people who all love the same sport. From sport to markets, we now know what the GNU looks like and all eyes will be on how it plays out going forward. Markets enjoy certainty, so the cabinet announcement should settle a few short-term nerves.

I'm very excited this morning to announce that IG is coming on board as a Ghost Mail partner. For those who are interested in trading, this is important. In a series of podcasts and articles, we will cover the basics like the amount of capital needed to start, the risks and opportunities, the way trading fits into an investment portfolio and so much more, including where beginners should take their first steps.

And as you know by now, there's no nonsense in Ghost Mail. This isn't about the Lamborghini pictures on Instagram and the promises of great wealth. Undoubtedly, trading can be lucrative. The difference is that we won't downplay how challenging that journey is. I thoroughly look forward to bringing you insightful articles, podcasts and resources on these topics.

If you want to set up a demo account in the meantime, you can do that here.

Whether you are investing or trading, knowledge is power if you want to be a stock picker. Unlock the Stock offers you a terrific opportunity to ask questions directly to management teams of JSE-listed companies. Where else will you get the chance to do that? The next event is PBT Group, scheduled for Thursday at 12pm. Register for free to attend>>>

Fresh out the oven:

Ghost Bites: Nampak was arguably the lead story on an outrageously busy day of news that also featured Castleview, Crookes Brothers, Grindrod, Lighthouse, Marshall Monteagle, Nictus, PBT Group, Resilient and SA Corporate Real Estate, along with a vast array of Little Bites. It took me twice as long as usual to prepare Ghost Bites, so it really was a hectic day. You can get all the details in Ghost Bites>>>
Investec No Ordinary Wednesday podcast: The market may be unpredictable, but your investment strategy doesn’t have to be. Investec Investment Management experts share their insights on what approaches are winning, common mistakes investors make, and why staying the course is important. Enjoy it here>>>

Magic Markets: A real-world due diligence is great for any portfolio. On the latest show, we discussed my recent experience with electric vehicles, visiting Sephora stores (part of LVMH) and playing at Topgolf, along with much more. Listen to the show and read the transcript here>>>

Dominique Olivier: Blue is actually the colour of money, not green. Ever wondered where royal blue comes from? Can you believe that there was a time when even Michelangelo couldn't afford blue pigments? Dominique Olivier digs into the history of the most expensive colour of all - and how rarity doesn't last forever. Read it here>>>

Satrix: Balancing risk and romance isn't easy. The stats tell us that financial misalignment is a major source of strain in relationships. In this lovely piece from Satrix, Duma Mxenge shares insights into how couples can reduce that stress in their relationships. Read it here>>>

In case you missed it:

Unlock the Stock: Oceana Group recently presented on Unlock the Stock for the first time. To get to grips with this fishing group and the strong recent performance, watch the insightful presentation and Q&A here>>>

Ghost Stories with Kingsley Williams of Satrix: There is only one free lunch in investing. Aside from the benefits of diversification, we discussed many other elements of investing. You can enjoy it here>>>
Ghost Stories with Michael Field of Fedgroup: There are different ways to think about portfolio construction and how important elements like yield and inflation protection can be brought in. Learn more here>>>

Learn all about Oceana Group

Oceana Group recently reported record first-half performance. To understand it properly and to assess the group's prospects, you can watch the presentation and Q&A on Unlock the Stock. The recording is available here.

Local company news:

Nampak is in the midst of a turnaround strategy and it seems to be going well. The group is finally profitable again, with a particularly strong performance in the metals business where operating margin has more than doubled.

At PBT Group, this week's company on Unlock the Stock, revenue growth is still positive but margins have come under pressure. This has negatively impacted HEPS.

In the property sector, we saw updates from Resilient and Lighthouse as the main events, with SA Corporate Real Estate in a supporting role. Castleview doesn't have any liquidity in its stock, but there's an update from that company as well.

In agriculture, Crookes Brothers showed just how volatile this game can be. After a really tough year last year, the operations are profitable again.

At Grindrod, we've been given an update on volumes being handled by the logistics side of the business.

There was also news from Marshall Monteagle and Nictus, along with a truly extraordinary variety of Little Bites.

All these stories, plus the Little Bites, are available in Ghost Bites at this link>>>

Blue: the colour of money

Rarity doesn't last forever. If people can find a way to make something accessible or cheaper, they will. The colour blue is the perfect example. Once the colour of royalty and with very good reason, blue is now available to everyone. Dominique Olivier tells this story. Read it here>>>

The only free lunch in investing

With volatility as the theme in markets in a year of elections, it’s important to keep your head as an equity investor. Take a long-term view and let the market do its job. Easier said than done, of course. Kingsley Williams joined me to share practical tips and important insights into investing. The podcast and full transcript are available here.

International business news:

Boeing has announced that it will buy fuselage maker Spirit AeroSystems in an all-stock deal. The companies are largely reliant on each other anyway, so the sellers of Spirit may as well accept stock in Boeing. Spirit generates roughly 70% of its revenue from Boeing according to a CNBC report on the deal.

Dealmaking is the least of Boeing's troubles, with the company trying to fend off US prosecutors who plan to seek a guilty plea from the company over the 737 Max disasters.

If you want to become a better stock picker, Magic Markets Premium is perfect for you. We covered Darden Restaurants last week. To get access to this research and the rest of the vast library, subscribe to the platform here.

Macroeconomic Update with IG's morning call

After having sold off on Friday in a reaction to US PCE inflation data, the dollar index is trading flat in early trade today as it consolidates losses. The rand has managed to renew strength, moving from a low of R18.52/$ on Friday to R18.07/$ currently.

Late Sunday night saw President Cyril Ramaphosa finally announcing his new coalition administration, which includes ministers and deputy ministers from nine political parties.

European index futures have risen as markets speculate that the far right will struggle to win a majority in the French elections.

Our local bourse, the JSE All-Share index, is expected to open firmer as well, taking its lead from European markets and further supported by certainty around the new coalition government.

Oil prices are trading higher this morning boosted by forecasts of a supply deficit and OPEC+ cuts in the third quarter.

Gold prices are holding steady after data showed U.S. inflation subsided, bolstering hopes that the Federal Reserve will start cutting interest rates this year.

Key Indicators: USD/ZAR R18.07/$ | US 10yr 4.39% | Gold $2322/oz | Platinum $992/oz | Brent Crude $85.30

The macroeconomic update is based on IG's morning call update