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

2026-10-15 02:14 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective

On October 16, 2008, during the financial crisis, Warren Buffett published an op-ed urging investors to buy American stocks. An investor who followed this advice and invested $10,000 in an S&P 500 ETF on October 17, 2008, would have seen it grow to approximately $115,600 by now, despite the investment dropping to $7,400 at its lowest point five months later. The article highlights that Buffett's key insight was not timing the market bottom, but rather maintaining conviction and staying invested through market downturns.

Axe note: Buffett's 2008 call to 'Buy American' paid off handsomely, but is the lesson clear for South African investors today?

2026-10-15 01:23 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective

VanEck's NLR nuclear-focused ETF offers higher dividend yield (3.1%) but underperformed significantly with a 21.8% loss over the past year, while iShares' ICLN renewable energy ETF gained 11.0% with lower costs (0.38% expense ratio). The choice between them depends on investor priorities: NLR provides concentrated nuclear exposure but faces regulatory and interest rate risks, while ICLN offers broader diversification across 105 holdings in solar, wind, and clean energy equipment.

Axe note: VanEck’s nuclear-focused NLR pays better dividends but lags renewables-focused iShares ICLN, which offers broader exposure and growth.

2026-10-15 01:00 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective

The S&P 500 has gained 30.6% during the first 20 months of Trump's second term, slightly outpacing the 28.5% gain during the same period of his first term. Despite historical trends showing midterm election years underperform, stocks remain resilient amid geopolitical challenges and inflation concerns. Analysts suggest divided government and the historically strong third year of presidential cycles could support continued market strength into 2027.

Axe note: Strong US equity gains under Trump's second term offer a nuanced signal for South African markets ahead of midterms.