Clear market notes built around the JSE, the rand, and what matters locally.

2026-08-03 05:15 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective

Greg Abel, Berkshire Hathaway's new CEO, is shifting the company's investment strategy toward acquiring whole businesses rather than stocks. With nearly $400 billion in cash, Abel has spent less than $3 billion on stock purchases while acquiring Taylor Morrison for $6.8 billion and completing the OxyChem purchase for $9.7 billion. This approach reflects Abel's preference for long-term operational control over portfolio trading, as he finds greater value in whole companies than in the current richly-valued stock market.

Axe note: Greg Abel is steering Berkshire Hathaway towards buying entire companies, shifting away from stock market plays.

2026-08-03 04:30 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective

PrismML released Bonsai 27B, a compressed AI model that runs on iPhone 17 Pro while retaining 90% of original performance. Apple's custom silicon was designed for on-device AI, positioning it well for this trend. However, Apple faces challenges with its own AI execution and ongoing legal disputes with OpenAI.

Axe note: Apple’s hardware breakthrough sets the stage for smarter iPhones, but watch for execution risks.

2026-08-03 03:30 • The Motley Fool Negative Axe Cap view: Selective

The 30-year Treasury yield has reached 5.24%, its highest level in 20 years, driven by persistent inflation concerns and the Federal Reserve's unchanged interest rate stance. Three Fed officials dissented in favor of a rate hike, signaling potential increases ahead. Long-term Treasury bonds face significant duration risk with prices down over 40% from their peak, while Treasury bills may offer better protection against further rate increases.

Axe note: Rising US Treasury yields reshape global capital flows and put the rand under pressure.