The Investment Perspective, with Ninety One

The SpaceX IPO is just the opening act. With Anthropic and OpenAI close behind, Anton du Plooy considers what a wave of trillion-dollar listings means for markets, and for the investors who have to decide what to do about them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Strait of Hormuz closure has rattled global energy markets, but South Africa is weathering the shock better than many expected. Ruen Naidu explains what the Moody's outlook upgrade signals, why the rand has held up, and how long South Africa can absorb persistently elevated oil prices. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A supply shock has shifted the inflation picture, and the SARB's next move matters. Adam Furlan discusses the case for early action, the risk of second-round effects, and why Ninety One remains cautious on duration at the front end of the curve. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Markets are more concentrated than ever, and that changes the equation for investors. Siobhan Simpson uncovers the risks beneath the surface of major indices, from the Magnificent Seven to precious metals dominating the JSE, and explains why these conditions may be creating some of the most compelling opportunities for active management in years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the Strait of Hormuz blockaded and global oil inventories drawing down fast, the oil market is approaching a critical inflection point. Paul Gooden cuts through the geopolitical noise to explain the supply-and-demand dynamics at play, what the numbers actually mean for oil prices, and why equity investors are more cautious than you might expect. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The battle between the White House and the world's most powerful central bank isn't just political theatre. It has real consequences for markets, inflation, and the credibility of independent monetary policy. Ruen Naidu explains what Kevin Warsh's appointment as Fed chair really means, and why the outcome matters far beyond Washington. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US 30-year bond yield has broken through 5%. That might sound like a technicality, until you understand what it means for every other asset class on the planet. John Stopford unpacks why yields are on the move, what a flattening curve signals for growth, whether equity valuations can hold and why he is selling into strength. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oil at double its 2026 lows. Bond yields creeping up. Petrol prices hammering the South African consumer. And the S&P still making new highs. Sumesh Chetty unpacks the contradictions shaping global markets right now, from the ripple effects of the Strait of Hormuz closure to the AI arms race and explains how he navigates uncertainty without losing sleep. (Well, almost.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For years, developed markets were seen as the safer home for private credit, while emerging markets carried the higher-risk label. But that gap may be narrowing, and in some cases even reversing. Alper Kilic explores why strains are surfacing in US private credit, how weaker underwriting standards have contributed to the shift, and why emerging market private credit may offer a more resilient opportunity set built on secured lending, stable underwriting standards and real-economy demand. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

South Africa’s fixed income market is entering a new phase with the introduction of FLAC instruments, a class of bank debt designed to strengthen the financial system and reduce the risk of taxpayer-funded bailouts. Lisa MacLeod and Stephen Naidoo unpack how these instruments work, why they are being introduced now, and what their arrival means for credit risk, pricing and portfolio construction in the years ahead.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

South Africa’s water challenges are becoming harder to ignore, as supply disruptions spread beyond rural areas into major urban centres. Yet the issue is less about scarcity than system failure. Tshiphiri Muedi explores how infrastructure inefficiencies are driving the crisis, and how emerging reforms could begin to unlock a more investable path forward. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

South African bonds have suffered their second-worst monthly drawdown in two decades, rattled by global conflict and rising inflation fears. But beneath the volatility, the fundamentals may tell a different story. James Turp unpacks what’s driving the sell-off, what past episodes reveal about market recoveries, and whether this presents investors with an attractive entry point into fixed income. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The sudden escalation in the Middle East has jolted global markets, reversing expectations for lower inflation and rate cuts almost overnight. Malcolm Charles explains why this is more than a passing shock, how portfolios are being repositioned for a more uncertain world, and why caution rather than conviction is guiding investment decisions right now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a market where gold no longer behaves like a safe haven and oil is rewriting the rules, investors are being forced to rethink old assumptions. George Chevely unpacks the dynamics across precious and industrial metals, and explains why energy, not gold, may now be the dominant force shaping returns. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just as central banks looked set on a path to easier policy, geopolitics has thrown a wrench into the plan. With conflict in the Middle East driving energy prices higher and clouding the inflation outlook, Jason Borbora-Sheen explains why rate cuts are being repriced, why different central banks will respond differently, and why, despite all the noise, markets have remained surprisingly resilient. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oil markets have been jolted by a sharp escalation in the Middle East, pushing prices higher and disrupting flows through the vital Straits of Hormuz. Paul Gooden explains how the effective closure of this key route is squeezing global supply, driving volatility across energy markets. With outcomes ranging from a temporary spike to a more sustained period of higher prices, inventories, demand destruction and geopolitics will ultimately determine where oil settles.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After more than 25 years running the Ninety One Value Fund, John Biccard has learned that successful investing often means enduring periods of discomfort. Value investing requires buying what others dislike and waiting patiently for the cycle to turn. In this conversation, Biccard explains why geopolitical shocks and market noise rarely change the long-term investment case and why some of today’s most out-of-favour sectors could become tomorrow’s winners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The military build-up signalled it was coming, and now markets must grapple with the fallout. As conflict in the Middle East escalates, energy prices jumped, bond yields backed up and investors are reassessing risk. John Stopford explores why spiking oil matters for inflation and monetary policy, how markets typically absorb geopolitical shocks, and why a defensive starting position may create opportunities as volatility unfolds. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a year in which tariffs failed to ignite inflation and both bonds and equities surprised on the upside, investors are reassessing the outlook. With global growth resilient, inflation cooling and the dollar gradually weakening, David Knee explains why the “Goldilocks” backdrop still supports risk assets. The real challenge for 2026 may not be that conditions are perfect but recognising that – for now – they’re good enough. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The National Treasury delivered expenditure discipline, no new bailouts, and a third consecutive primary surplus. Jaco van Tonder discusses the expanded tax-free savings, retirement deductibility, CGT exclusions, and offshore allowances that create planning opportunities advisers should not ignore. Malcolm Charles explores how reduced weekly bond issuance, a rally in long-dated yields, and improving debt dynamics are reshaping the fixed-income opportunity set.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This year’s State of the Nation Address struck a notably confident tone: less promise, more progress. But is this truly a turning point? Alastair Herbertson explores why infrastructure is at the heart of South Africa’s growth ambitions, where private capital fits in, and why long-term investors may find this moment compelling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Phase 1 of Operation Vulindlela proved reforms can unlock private capital — around R500bn worth. Now Phase 2 shifts from policy design to delivery, with infrastructure firmly in the spotlight. Investment specialist Puleng Pitso unpacks where the next wave of opportunity may emerge and what “success” could look like for investors and communities alike. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The dollar’s weakness is no longer a contrarian call; it’s becoming the base case. But what’s driving its persistence, and what would finally confirm a full-blown dollar bear cycle? Sahil Mahtani revisits the forces behind the “sell America” trade, the limits of Fed leadership changes, and the signals investors are watching for the next leg lower. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a breathtaking surge that carried gold well beyond $5 000 an ounce, followed by a brutal pullback, investors are questioning whether the rally has finally run its course. George Cheveley unpacks what drove the frenzy, why volatility is here to stay, and why gold equities may still offer compelling value despite the metal’s wild ride. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of Jerome Powell’s last acts as Fed chair was to do nothing. Or so it may seem. In the face of sluggish employment but lively growth, US rates were left unchanged. But will benign inflation continue and ultimately sway future decisions to ease? Philip Saunders analyses the situation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A stronger rand. Lower inflation. Rate cuts on the horizon. Malcolm Charles explains why South African bonds remain one of the most attractive income trades on the board, despite a blockbuster 2025. However, with the easy gains behind us, discipline and risk management will be essential. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2025, quality investing was overshadowed by AI exuberance, precious metals and momentum-driven market leadership. As volatility re-enters the picture, those same forces are being tested. Sumesh Chetty reflects on why the balance between growth, valuation and resilience is becoming harder to ignore. From gold’s rise to a reassessment of South African assets, he explores what may matter more as 2026 unfolds. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The oil price is once again being shaped by forces far beyond the fundamentals of supply and demand. Geopolitics has re-entered the equation in a meaningful way, from instability in Venezuela to rising tensions in Iran. Layered onto this is Donald Trump’s political calculus. His domestic priorities are tightly interwoven with his international stance on energy and geopolitics. Paul Gooden unpacks the complex forces influencing black gold and sets out where volatility may create opportunity.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The JSE has delivered a standout year, led by resource names, but the real story, according to John Biccard, is only just starting. He explains why SA Inc is primed for a powerful re-rating, what the bond–equity divergence really tells us, and which sectors and stocks will dominate his portfolio as it enters 2026 with conviction. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The AI boom has turned the most cyclical parts of the market into perceived safe havens, while true defensives languish. Clyde Rossouw unpacks the tension between AI euphoria, a weakening consumer, and where genuine opportunities may actually lie. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the surprise early announcement of a lower inflation target to reduced bond issuance and cautious revenue projections, Sisamkele Kobus and Adam Furlan discuss why the market’s reaction was upbeat, and how improved fiscal and monetary alignment could support greater market stability ahead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ninety One marks a milestone moment with the launch of its first two actively managed exchange-traded funds (AMETFs) on the JSE, bringing almost 35 years of active investment expertise into a listed, accessible format. Siobhan Simpson explains how Ninety One is evolving to meet changing investor needs and broaden access to its active investment skill while offering a glimpse of what’s to come. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From platinum deficits to gold’s resurgence and copper’s electrifying prospects, Muhammad Docrat unpacks the powerful forces reshaping commodities. He explains why tight supply, renewed central bank demand and the global energy transition are keeping precious and base metals in focus. even as oil tells a more complex story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Once a quiet corner of the alternatives market, private credit is now stepping into the mainstream. As investors seek yield, diversification, and real-world impact, the asset class offers a compelling blend of steady income, resilience through cycles, and tangible development benefits, particularly in emerging markets. Reabetswe Kungwane illustrates how private credit has moved from a niche alternative to a mainstream allocation in institutional portfolios. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The rand has been one of 2025’s standout performers: stronger against the dollar, steady against peers, and buoyed by solid fundamentals. A weaker greenback, firm commodity prices, and South Africa’s credible policy mix have all played a part. With global central banks shifting gears and local inflation easing, what comes next, and how will it shape the South African Reserve Bank’s path in the months ahead? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stock markets at home and abroad have soared this year, but not all sectors are sharing in the gains. From the resource-heavy rally on the JSE to the dominance of tech in the US, Hannes van den Berg unpacks the narrow leadership behind record highs and where overlooked value may lie.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The tone of the US Federal Reserve has flipped from hovering on the hawkish side earlier this summer to delving firmly into dovish territory today. With jobs, inflation and politics all demanding attention, the policy permutations are many. Alex Holroyd-Jones unpacks the Fed’s shift into risk-management mode and what it means for markets and for equities in particular. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fifty episodes, countless insights. To mark this milestone, The Investment Perspective revisits some of the most compelling moments from the past year. From the dollar bear market to renewed interest in South African equities, from oil’s uncertain path to the enduring case for gold, this episode distills the sharpest thinking from Ninety One’s investment professionals. A fitting celebration of 50, with a clear eye on what’s next. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gold has surged past $3 700 an ounce and copper is climbing on tightening supply. From record central bank buying and ETF flows to mining disruptions and the spectre of a dollar bear market,George Cheveley unpacks the forces reshaping precious and base metals markets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Fed’s 0.25% cut landed as expected, but markets are left weighing a more complicated picture: cooling jobs, stubborn inflation, and a divided FOMC. Philip Saunders unpacks what the move really signals and where opportunity can be found amid the noise. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Money market funds remain a cornerstone of the global financial system, prized for their liquidity and stability. Yet history has shown they are not immune to stress, with mismatches between investor redemptions and underlying assets occasionally exposing vulnerabilities. Regulators have responded with reforms designed to bolster resilience and transparency. Vivienne Taberer explains why these changes should be welcomed, how they reinforce money markets’ safe-haven role, and what today’s rate environment means for investors seeking both security and yield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Developed market bonds have had a turbulent year, buffeted by deficits, politics and policy uncertainty. Enter South African bonds. In contrast, they’ve been a bastion of relative calm, supported by orthodox fiscal and monetary policy. Ruen Naidu unpacks their performance and what the road ahead may hold. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

South Africa’s high real yields have allowed conservative investors to lean heavily on income strategies for returns. However, that tailwind is fading. As inflation expectations settle and the SARB prepares to cut rates further, the return gap between bonds and equities may widen. Sumesh Chetty believes it's time to rethink what ‘cautious’ really means. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Once seen as safe and steady, bonds are now at the heart of market turbulence. From political pressure on the Fed to diverging central bank moves and volatile long-end yields, 2025 is rewriting the rules. Jason Borbora-Sheen makes the case for short-dated bonds, global diversification and a relentless focus on capital protection. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Markets are a game of probabilities, and John Biccard thinks investors are mispricing them. In this episode, he unpacks why South African banks may offer compelling value, why the case for gold still glitters, and what 25 years of value investing has taught him about conviction, misperception, and timing. Is value finally getting its moment in the spotlight? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This year has not been short on worries for market participants. Now, another concern is creeping onto the list: stagflation. Early signals of a slowing US economy, coupled with rising prices, have caught investors’ attention, though they are not yet fully reflected in market pricing. John Stopford unpacks the complex likelihood of stagflation taking hold, its potential impact and how he is positioned to navigate one of investors’ most persistent adversaries. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Infrastructure credit is emerging as a powerful way for institutional investors to combine resilient returns with real-world impact. Thanzi Ramukosi highlights a strong pipeline across energy, water, transport and digital connectivity, offering diversification, stability and support for South Africa’s development. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Malcolm Charles unpacks the contrasting outlooks for global bond markets, starting with a ‘sunnier’ South Africa buoyed by improving fundamentals and resilient fixed income returns, before heading offshore where clouds of policy uncertainty and tariff tensions loom large. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A global commodity index has hovered near multi-year highs for months, but beneath the surface, individual commodities tell very different stories. George Cheveley delves into the supply-and-demand dynamics behind key commodities, including platinum group metals, copper, oil, and gold. He discusses what’s powering the rally, and what may lie ahead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The South African Reserve Bank delivered a widely expected 25 basis-point rate cut, but surprised the market with its ambition to target a 3% inflation rate sooner than anticipated. Vivienne Taberer analyses the decision, decodes the Governor’s tone and shares her take on what’s next for SA interest rates. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.