View in web browser

Good morning Voornaam,

Bowler Metcalf and DRDGOLD give us two strong examples of operating leverage - with different outcomes.
Nintendo beat estimates for the December quarter.
Dominique Olivier tells the Bumble story - and shows how good intentions don't always mean happy share price charts.
New Ghost Stories podcast with Satrix - kick off 2024 in your personal finance planning and invesment portfolio.

You can turn your tax into solar power with Futureneers this month, but you have to act quickly to take advantage of the Section 12BA opportunity. Find out more in this article>>>

Local company news:

MultiChoice is not endearing itself to the Takeover Regulation Panel (TRP), with the regulator issuing a rather stern announcement advising investors to continue exercising caution in relation to MultiChoice shares and the potential Canal+ offer. This is despite MultiChoice withdrawing the cautionary earlier in the week. This saga is only just warming up.

Other M&A news in Ghost Bites this morning includes MTN's deal with Mastercard in the fintech side of the business, as well as Lesaka moving into the lucrative tavern industry with a POS and data system acquisition. Interesting stuff indeed.

In company results, we find Bowler Metcalf and DRDGOLD with an operating leverage masterclass. Bowler Metcalf has turned strong revenue growth into exceptional profit growth, delivering the type of income statement that investors just love seeing. In contrast, DRDGOLD couldn't convert a juicy gold price increase into anything exciting at HEPS level.

Why? Find out in Ghost Bites>>>

The latest Ghost Wrap podcast recaps the clothing retailer updates from The Foschini Group, Mr Price, Truworths and Pepkor. This podcast is designed for busy people just like you, with thanks to Mazars. You'll find it here>>>

International company news:

Thanks to data and automation specialists B2IT, Magic Markets moves from shoes to cars this week. We tackled the latest earnings from Tesla (always an exciting story, let's face it) as well as how Volkswagen is doing a traditional stalwart in this tough industry. As always, there's much to learn about both companies in this podcast>>>

Gaming fans will be interested to learn that Nintendo has beaten sales and net profit expectations for the quarter ended December 2023, which is the third quarter of the current financial year. Also, guidance for sales of the flagship Switch consoles has been increased. Although net sales revenue fell year-on-year for the quarter, net profit was strongly up.

Nintendo's share price is up 48% in Japan in the past 12 months. A new console can't be far away, as the Switch is getting rather long in the tooth now - not that you would say so based on the sales trend!

Moving on to online dating, Dominique Olivier is back with one of her excellent business storytelling pieces. Inspired by the Whitney Wolfe Herd story, this is the tale of Bumble and how a woman scorned went off to build a successful competitor to Tinder. Sadly, the share price is less enthralled by the story, but that's a different matter and not one that is unique to Bumble. Enjoy the article here>>>

Have a great day!

LISTEN: The 2024 kick-off with Duma Mxenge of Satrix

With a great mix of practical personal finance and investing concepts, this podcast with Duma Mxenge of Satrix will get you on the right path for 2024. Don't miss it!

Listen to the Ghost Stories podcast here (42 minutes long)

Currencies, commodities and rates: TreasuryONE Market Update

We are in a relatively light week for economic data, with the markets focusing instead on continuing to reprice US interest rate expectations. This should keep giving the US dollar support, although the rand did claw back a bit of ground to trade at R18.83 this morning. The rand move was grossly overdone in the last few sessions and a pullback is reasonable.

Gold is at $2,035, Brent Crude is trading at $78.73 and platinum ZAR is at R16,974.

As a Ghost Mail reader, you have a wonderful early bird opportunity to register for the 2024 post-budget panel discussion hosted by TreasuryONE, Econometrix and ETM Analytics. I absolutely cannot recommend this enough and I will also be attending to learn from the panel. Get it in your diaries now already by registering at this link>>>

LISTEN: Magic Markets podcast

In Episode 160 of Magic Markets, we put on our driving shoes and got behind the wheels of Tesla and Volkswagen.

This is new-age vs. tradition in the world of automotive manufacturing, which is a tough place to make money on a good day.

What can we learn from recent earnings updates and the share price trends? Find out in this podcast, brought to you by international data and automation specialists B2IT.

Listen to Magic Markets Episode 160 here (27 minutes long)

READ: Satrix launches Satrix JSE Global Equity ETF

Satrix is releasing a new product that gives a higher weighting to local companies with international listings. In other words: more of an offshore component. Find out more in this article.

Learn about this new product from Satrix in this article

READ: Why are we losing our minds over Stanley cups?
(by Dominique Olivier)

You’ve heard of an emotional support animal, sure. But why are people all around North America suddenly talking about an “emotional support water bottle”? Is the Stanley cup really the last word in personal hydration – or is this just a sippy cup for adults? Dominique Olivier investigates.

Learn about the Stanley cup craze in this article

You should expect us in your inbox Monday – Friday. If you don’t receive an email, please check your spam, or junk folder and “move us” into your primary inbox to ensure you get it each morning.

Disclaimer

Our content is intended to be used and must be used for informational purposes only. You must do your own analysis before executing any investments or strategic decisions, based on your own circumstances. We do not provide personalised recommendations or views as to whether an investment approach or corporate strategy is suited to the needs of a specific individual or entity. You should take independent financial advice from a suitably qualified individual who gives due regard to your personal circumstances.

Whilst every care is taken, we accept no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in any of our content.

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in our content belong solely to the author or quoted individuals and/or entities, and not necessarily to the author's employer, organisation, committee or other group or individual, or any of our affiliates or brand partners.