Simon’s weekly wrap: Positioning for the future

Vunani listed on the JSE in 2007 and very nearly didn’t survive the 2008 financial crisis. But it did and I spoke with CEO Butana Khoza about its recent annual results. It’s building a pan-African financial services business with asset management, long-term insurance and stock brokering and now has critical mass – positioning it well for future profit growth. (Read transcript)

Tharisa published a good set of results and I spoke with COO Michelle Taylor. Production is up but so are input costs. However, at current platinum group metal prices the industry remains profitable, with strong balance sheets and chrome prices having boomed, which adds to Tharisa’s bottom line as the Vulcan ultra-fine chrome recovery and beneficiation plant comes online. (Read transcript)

I spoke with Maarten Ackerman, chief economist at Citadel, about the potential and implications of recession locally and globally. He says the likelihood has certainly increased but that the bigger issue is that even without a recession it is very tough for consumers right now and this is not going to improve any time soon. (Read transcript)

Thungela Resources and Exxaro both had their annual general meetings this week. I spoke with Tracey Davies of Just Share about how the companies are positioning themselves relative to the looming climate change threat. The depressing answer is not at all. They have every right to continue operating, but they also have a societal obligation to take climate change seriously. (Read transcript)

Also this week:

Global dividends in the first quarter of 2022 are up a record 11%. Jane Shoemake of Janice Henderson Investors feels confident that there will be some dividend growth this year – helpful when inflation is running at the levels it is: (Read transcript)