The US credit downgrade by Moody's wasn't a huge surprise, as they are just playing catch-up to what other ratings agencies already did. The complacency in the market in response to the downgrade is interesting though, as it became the catalyst for us to talk about the dollar as the world's reserve currency.

In the same week, a JPMorgan investor day provided an excellent opportunity to dig into the wisdom of not just Jamie Dimon, but CFO Jeremy Barnum as well. Aside from some insights into JPMorgan's view on the economic outlook, Barnum delivered an absolute masterclass in capital allocation.

This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not financial or investment advice. Please speak to your personal financial advisor.

After a wonderful year in 2024 for property funds (especially in South Africa), the sector has taken a breather in 2025. That's not surprising given how much things have changed, particularly when you consider that 2024 really did create the perfect opportunity for local REITs.

In this review of the sector, we talked about concepts like whether tariffs actually affect property, how yields work in this space and what the effect of inflation is. We looked at yields across the US and South Africa, while highlighting major trends affecting demand for property in different segments.

This podcast is an excellent way to get to grips with the listed property sector and some of the key investment principles. 

This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not financial or investment advice. Please speak to your personal financial advisor.

In an incredible contrast of wisdom, this episode focuses primarily on insightful comments from Warren Buffett at the latest Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting, before ending off with the latest chaos on tariffs - this time, Trump's comments on potential tariffs on the film industry, a sector in which the US enjoys a trade surplus!

You can't make this stuff up. Thankfully, we have Buffett's endless wisdom and excellent humour to enjoy, along with his comments on their investment strategy and their immense cash pile. Spoiler alert: if you were expecting buybacks of Berkshire shares in the latest quarter, you were disappointed.

This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not financial or investment advice. Please speak to your personal financial advisor.

Our very own Mohammed Nalla thought that the recent tariff volatility would be an excellent opportunity to dust off the day trading strategy that worked pretty well during COVID. Unlike the average Instagram influencer, we are all about authenticity here at Magic Markets - and that's why Moe bravely volunteered to dedicate a show to his learnings from the strategy and specifically why it didn't work out as well this time around.

The markets are hard and day trading is even harder. This show is packed with insights and an honest look at just how tough it is, even for those who are experienced. As for our resident Ghost, he's only too happy to keep wearing his "investor" (and occasional swing trader) hat - especially after hearing these day trading stories!

This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not financial or investment advice. Please speak to your personal financial advisor.

As the recent trend in IPOs and delistings on public markets tells us, an increasing number of companies are looking to private markets for their capital raising needs. This means that retail investors are being shut out of these opportunities, which is particularly problematic as these early-stage opportunities usually offer the highest potential returns.

Mesh.Trade is committed to increasing access for investors, which is why the platform is designed to enable issuers to raise debt and/or equity funding. Naturally, this means that opportunities like Die MOS (an Afrikaans education business) can be brought to an audience of retail and institutional investors, instead of just institutions like would normally be the case in private market deals.

Connie Bloem of Mesh.Trade joined us on this podcast to talk about why access to good quality private assets is so important in the South African market.

Mesh Trade (Pty) is a licensed Financial Services Provider, FSP number 53710. Please do your own research and remember that nothing you hear on Magic Markets is advice, nor should you treat this as an endorsement.

With markets bouncing around like crazy practically every day at the moment, most of the focus among investors is usually on the equity indices. But what about the bond markets? Aren't they just as important, if not even more important?

Does the carry trade play a role? What about foreign ownership of assets, both fixed income and equities?

And what is one really important characteristic that investors should consider when looking at buy-the-dip candidates?

All this and more in this week's episode of Magic Markets.

This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not financial or investment advice. Please speak to your personal financial advisor.

With the markets all over the place and practically impossible to predict, Moe is busy with a day-trading strategy and Ghost has bought a few dips, ranging from technology through to golf.

Is there method in this madness? What is really going on out there? And should we be thinking more and more about China?

Volatility can be wild, but it's also a key feature of the markets and a very exciting time for those who like to see action on the screens. In this episode, our passion for the markets really shines through. We invite you to join us.

This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not financial or investment advice. Please speak to your personal financial advisor.

The first quarter of the year was an unhappy one for most consumer stocks. Tariffs are top of mind, as is the pressure that many brands have been facing in China. Inflation is a risk and consumer sentiment is weak. Against this backdrop, is there opportunity in this sector, or is it better to sit this one out and let the volatility do its thing?

And does it make a difference to look at discretionary vs. defensive stocks?

Find out in this episode of Magic Markets.

As we continue to look beyond the US to demonstrate the opportunities available elsewhere in the world, our gaze turns to Africa. Firmly a currencies story, it's all about whether the macroeconomics will improve in 2025. This is what some of the banking groups have predicted, so South African corporates with African exposure will be hoping that this comes to fruition.

But which South African listed companies are these? Which ones stand to benefit? And in line with a broader offshore theme for South African companies, what are the typical features of successful acquisitions vs. those that have failed?

This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not financial or investment advice. Please speak to your personal financial advisor.

These days, the narrative has shifted from US Exceptionalism to one of punters working through the list of European companies to try and find something exciting to buy. Defence stocks seemed to be where momentum traders found their desired home, with incredible returns in those stocks.

But what about the rest of Europe? Is there something there to justify this Europhoria? Are there other place to look, like China?

And are you willing to allow Moe to invent the term Amexit?

All this and more in this episode of Magic Markets!