π Worldwide Markets Ep. 646 β 3 September 2025
ποΈ Hosted by Simon Brown
Powered by Standard Bank & Shyft, the global money app π³π
π Key Topics This Week
π Emerging Markets: 20 Years of Poor Returns
EM ETFs have underperformed vs. the US and gold
20-year CAGR:
π NASDAQ: +1,400% (14.5% CAGR)
π‘ Gold: +700% (10.9% CAGR)
πΊπΈ S&P 500: +440% (8.7% CAGR)
π Emerging Markets: +193% (5.5% CAGR)
BRIC dream (Brazil, Russia, India, China) never delivered π
Headwinds: financial crises, currency depreciation πΈ, weaker governance π
π‘ Gold & βͺ Silver Running
Gold futures hit $3,560/oz π
Central banks now hold more gold than US Treasuries
Silver back above $40, near 2011 highs
Stagflation worries (low growth, high inflation, debt) β gold demand surges
Gold weekly chart | 02 September 2025
π Shoprite* Results & 60/60 Growth
Checkers 60/60 delivered R18.9bn revenue ππ¦
Thatβs nearly 20% of Checkersβ sales & close to Pick n Payβs market cap
Strong results, inflation at just 2.3% β
Stock price up ~5%
π Record August Vehicle Sales
51,880 units sold, highest since Oct 2019
Brands leading:
π Toyota (13k+)
π Suzuki (~6.5k)
π¨π³ Rising share from Chinese brands (GWM, Chery, JAC)
Trend: consumers keeping cars longer, turning to cheaper imports π·οΈ
π§ͺ ASP Isotopes JSE Listing
Listed ahead of Renergen* takeover
Local pricing looks wildly inflated at R1,100 vs. realistic ~R165 π
Very thin volumes; caution urged β οΈ
π Geopolitics: New World Order
India π€ Russia π€ China meeting β cooperation on energy, fertilizers, space & security
Growing shift away from USD towards RMB in oil settlement
US power not gone yet, but cracks in global dominance showing ποΈ
π Takeaways
EM equities have disappointed; US tech dominance continues π»
Gold remains a hedge in uncertain times π‘
Shoprite Sixty60 is now a R20bn business π
Car sales at record highs, boosted by affordable Chinese brands π
Watch out for weird valuations in new listings π
Geopolitics shifting β 2025 could be a turning point π
π Next weekβs episode will be late β Simonβs at LeaderX on Tuesday. Come say hi if youβre there! π
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JSE Direct is an independent broadcast and is not endorsed or affiliated with, nor has it been authorised, or otherwise approved by JSE Limited. The views expressed in this programme are solely those of the presenter, and do not necessarily reflect the views of JSE Limited.
Wednesdays are all about hard-core investing and trading with Simon Brownβs famous JSE Direct podcast. JSE Direct started life on ClassicFM in July 2008 and became a podcast in 2011. Every week Simon shares his views on the state of global economies, individual shares and events moving markets.
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JSE β The JSE is a registered trademark of the JSE Limited.
JSE Direct is an independent broadcast and is not endorsed or affiliated with, nor has it been authorised, or otherwise approved by JSE Limited. The views expressed in this programme are solely those of the presenter, and do not necessarily reflect the views of JSE Limited.
