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

2026-07-30 17:30 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective

Corning, a 175-year-old glass manufacturer, has emerged as a key player in the AI boom by supplying fiber-optic cables for data centers. With a 12-month return of 129%, the stock significantly outperformed Nvidia's 8% return. The company secured multi-billion dollar deals with Meta and Amazon, plans to expand manufacturing capacity tenfold, and projects doubling revenue from $20B to $40B by 2030. While trading at a higher P/E ratio than Nvidia currently, analysts believe the stock could deliver strong long-term returns if the company executes on its growth plans.

Axe note: Corning, the century-old glass maker, is booming on fiber-optic demand, leaving Nvidia trailing in returns.

2026-07-30 17:26 • The Motley Fool Mixed Axe Cap view: Selective

U.S. stock markets rebounded sharply on Thursday, with the Nasdaq Composite surging 2.6% to its best day since mid-June. Microsoft led the rally, jumping 16.4% after reporting $90 billion in quarterly revenue and 43% Azure cloud growth, proving that AI investments are generating real returns. While semiconductor stocks celebrated alongside Microsoft, Meta Platforms declined 9.2% after missing earnings expectations and reporting a 91% collapse in free cash flow, highlighting the contrast between profitable and unprofitable AI spending strategies.

Axe note: Microsoft’s strong cloud revenue lifts market sentiment, contrasting sharply with Meta’s cash flow woes.

2026-07-30 17:23 • The Motley Fool Mixed Axe Cap view: Selective

The iShares Expanded Tech-Software ETF (IGV) has declined 11% this year amid AI disruption concerns, but recent momentum loss in the AI infrastructure boom could present a buying opportunity. Rising chip costs have forced companies to cut AI spending, and reports show businesses are hiring more humans and routing tasks to cheaper AI models, potentially easing pressure on legacy software vendors.

Axe note: The tech-software ETF IGV is down 11% this year amid AI hype retreat, offering a possible opening tied to legacy software companies regaining footing.