UNITY IS STRENGTH
By Duncan McLeod
The collapse of talks between MTN and Telkom means the uncomfortable relationship between the SA fixed-line operator and its 50%-held associate, cellular operator Vodacom, is set to continue. But how long can it last, especially as Vod...
JACKO WINS IN THE END
By Rob Rose
Standing outside Standard Bank's auditorium at 6 Simmonds Street in Johannesburg, after 95% of shareholders voted to allow the Industrial & Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) to buy 20% of the bank, CEO Jacko Maree said he "wasn't really"...
WIN SOME, LOSE SOME
By Duncan McLeod
The Altron board is "highly unlikely" to increase the offer to minority shareholders in Altech, after they voted down an effort by the diversified electronics, telecommunications and IT group to buy their shares and delist the company...
UP IN THE DUMPS AND JUMPING
By Brendan Ryan
Signs of life in the depressed DRDGold share price reflect the huge jump in the scope of the dump re treatment joint venture (JV), being set up on the East Rand with Australian-listed mining junior Mintails. The partners have expand...
STANDARD OF INDEPENDENCE?
By Rob Rose
Saki Macozoma seems to be the front-runner to chair Standard Bank when Derek Cooper calls it quits. The African National Congress (ANC) stalwart was last week made chairman of Liberty Life -in effect a subsidiary of Standard Bank. S...
NOT ONLY FOR THE THICK SKINNED
By Desné Masie
Currency futures were launched in SA for dollar/rand trade in June on the JSE's Yield-X. Contracts in euro/rand and sterling/rand were then introduced in October. Foreign exchange (forex) is the most widely traded asset class in th...
MOVING AND SHAKING
By Nicky Smith
Super-bullish conditions in infrastructure are supporting consolidation and organic growth in the sector, and it seems there are still attractive returns to be had. Roads & civils specialist Raubex, which listed in March this year,...
A MATTER OF TRUST
By Rob Rose
Sasol may have admitted at its AGM last week it was reviewing its targets for greenhouse gas emissions, but perhaps it ought also to revisit the assistance it gives to the families of staff who die while working for the company - and t...
SQUEEZE-RESISTANT STRATEGIES
By Andrew McNulty
In the chemicals sector it seems that diversity is important. Announcements this week by two of the larger local players - AECI and Omnia - show that profit margins are being squeezed in some businesses, despite strong demand for their...
THE PRICE IS RIGHT
By Brendan Ryan
With the platinum price holding at record levels around US$1 450/oz, it's a good time for another junior wannabe producer -Platmin - to start talking up its prospects. Platmin is listed on both the Toronto and London AIM bourses, but...
STAY WITH HEAVYWEIGHTS
By Shoks Mzolo
Is now a good time to buy shares in health-care companies? Some commentators think so. Despite a shabby run this year, heavyweights Aspen, Medi-Clinic and Netcare are rated as buys on the I-Net Bridge consensus of analysts. Barri...
GETTING SETTLED
By Brendan Ryan
Uranium One CEO Neal Froneman may be close to settling the civil action brought against him and others two years ago by minority shareholders in New Kleinfontein Mining Company (NKMC). The action relates to a complex transaction in...
CHEMICALS - OMNIA
By Andrew McNulty
HOLD Omnia Ord price R71 Market cap R3,2bn Div yield 2,4% 12-mnth high R84,25 PE ratio 12 Sector PE 13,2 ...
DIAMONDS & DOGS
By Jamie Carr
Diamond Stella Vista Anybody who's been to the cricket recently will realise the scoreboard has come a long way from the days when its wheels were turned by hand by an invisible team of sinister individuals. Just as the telev...
