
ποΈ Worldwide Markets Ep. 652 β "Dividends, Gold, and Gearing Gone Wild"
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15 October 2025 | Hosted by Simon Brown | Powered by Standard Bank SHYFT
Gold is unstoppable! π
Now trading above R4,100/oz, the yellow metal has clocked eight consecutive green weeks β the longest winning streak since early 2024.
Simon digs into:
- π Historical patterns since the pandemic: jump β consolidate β jump again π¦ Central banks as persistent buyers β but what happens if they ever stop? π€ With gold having doubled in three years, central banks' reserves are now worth far more β will they slow purchases?
Gold weekly chart
𧬠ASP Isotopes & the Renegen* Dealπ₯ The small-cap buzz continues!
ASP Isotopes (π JSE-listed) soared 34% after being added to a Morgan Stanley National Security Index, thanks to its defense-related tech.
- π§ͺ ASP will acquire Renegen at a ratio of 0.09i ASP shares per Renegen share. π The stock was badly mispriced at listing, now settling into realistic levels. π§ Simon's take: it's partly a meme stock, but still delivering products and momentum.
ποΈ Trump shocked markets promising 100% tariffs on China, triggering a:
- π 2% drop on the S&P 500 π 3% drop on the Nasdaq
β¦before walking it all back two days later. Classic "art of the deal." π
π¬ China's latest export data (+8.4% YoY) shows resilience, finding new global buyers despite tensions.
π Bitcoin slid 10%, altcoins dropped 20β50% β and many over leveraged traders got liquidated.
Simon's tough love π¬:
"If a 10% move wipes you out, you're not trading β you're gambling." π²
He explains gearing simply:
- π° 10Γ gearing = a 10% drop β total wipe out. π° 50Γ gearing = just a 2% drop β goodbye capital. Crypto's already volatile β no need for extra leverage.
Following last week's small-cap value picks, Simon scans big JSE names offering strong income π:
π¦ Banks- Nedbank (9%) β solid and cheap. ABSA (8%) β attractive and trading below NAV. Standard Bank (7%) β quality but pricier. FirstRand (5.2%) β premium quality, lower yield. Investec (6.5%) β decent, but less excitement.
- Tungela (50%) β monster yield, but coal outlook uncertain. Omnia (special dividend) β mixed on chemicals. AVI (9%) β steady margins, strong chart π. Tiger Brands (7%) β turnaround story under new management. Reunert β defense & cabling play; value emerging.
- Equites, Growthpoint, Fairvest, Hyprop, Resilient β 6β8% yields, but NAV discounts vary.
- Sun International (10%) β betting becoming core growth area π² Mr Price* (4%) β comeback potential. Woolies (2.5%) β still struggling with fashion π Shoprite* (2.7%) β premium, low yield.
- Old Mutual (9%), Coronation (8%), Sygnia β benefit from rising markets. Alexander Forbes β solid income play.
- Telkom β undervalued, post-Swiftnet debt cut, potential MTN suitor πΆ Grindrod β ports booming, Africa trade tailwinds π Bitvest (4%) β cash generative, debt manageable, chart support at R200.
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Gold's bull market still strong β no legs down yet.
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ASP Isotopes & Renegen merger heating up.
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Beware leverage β crypto is wild enough.
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Dividend stocks offering serious income on the JSE.
β
Buffett Power Hour this Thursday β don't miss it! πΌβ¨
π§ Worldwide Markets is powered by Standard Bank Global Markets, Retail & SHYFT β
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π Subscribe to Worldwide Markets wherever you get your podcasts.
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Simon Brown
* I hold ungeared positions.
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