Yellow Africa: more reasons to connect
Mobile telecommunication firms (telcos) across sub-Saharan Africa are likely to play a more significant role in consumers’ adoption of digital financial and other services in the future. This will be more the case than in developed markets because of their relationships with large groups of subscribers and established cash- collection operations. We discuss why MTN, […]
Sekisui strives for sustainable growth
Sekisui was founded in Japan, in 1947, as a general plastics business. Their development of an ‘unbreakable telephone’ using thermoplastics marked the start of their success as a pioneer of plastic products. The group’s growth since inception is rooted in creative technological advancements that have enabled product diversification and a deep commitment to societal enrichment. […]
Nokian treads confidently
In countries with colder climates it is commonplace, and often compulsory, for vehicle owners to change their car tyres seasonally. Higher natural rubber content, wider tread blocks, deep grooves and studs are some of the characteristics of winter tyres that enable better performance in challenging conditions. Since splitting from the Nokia Corporation in the 1980s, […]
Kinder Morgans resilience
The recent weakness and volatility in oil prices has materially impacted the global economy as worldwide lockdowns and other containment measures – in response to the Covid-19 pandemic – caused a sudden, substantial decline in oil demand. Consequently, the share prices of most oil companies collapsed as oil prices dropped sharply. Kinder Morgan, one of […]
Best-laid plans for SAs private hospital groups
The Covid-19 pandemic has not evolved as initially expected and the impact on the South African private healthcare sector has been complex. We investigate the potential longer-term implications of the pandemic’s fallout on the operations of South Africa’s big three hospital groups: Life Healthcare, Netcare and Mediclinic. Preparing to peak The lockdown measures that were […]
Trawling for opportunity
For thousands of years, humans have relied on fishing to provide a reliable and sustainable food source. Today, commercial fishing has morphed into a global industry, with significant barriers to entry and large amounts of capital investment required. We explore the South African fishing industry and consider its ability to meet the insatiable global demand […]
Investment in motion
Bearings are mechanical devices that enable motion between two parts by reducing the frictional forces between objects and providing a surface to roll on enabling faster, smoother and less energy-intensive movement. From large manufacturing equipment to roller skates, ceiling fans to bicycles, bearings are found in almost anything that has moving parts. Svenska Kullagerfabriken (SKF), […]
The behemoths of US banking
The evolving COVID-19 pandemic has wrought havoc on the global economy and banks find themselves in the eye of the storm. Their funding lines have been disrupted, many of their customers will struggle to repay their debts and, as interest rates and customer transactional activity declines, their income will reduce. Bank shares have been some […]
Is the sun setting on South African gold?
South Africa is well known for its abundant commodity endowment with massive reserves of chrome ore, platinum group metals (PGMs), diamonds and, most prominently, gold. Over a century of mining gold in South Africa has resulted in many mines reaching depths of over four kilometres, where natural rock temperatures frequent 50°C and rock pressure is […]
Opportunity in Omnia
Omnia is a diversified group that supplies chemicals and specialised services to the chemical, mining and agricultural sectors in Africa. Although the company has generally delivered good returns over the long term, recent earnings have been weak. Omnia has made considerable capital investments over the last five years, which are expected to result in meaningful […]
