The Investment Perspective, with Ninety One

Phase 1 of Operation Vulindlela proved reforms can unlock private capital — around R500bn worth. Now Phase 2 shifts from policy design to delivery, with infrastructure firmly in the spotlight. Investment specialist Phuleng Pitso unpacks where the next wave of opportunity may emerge and what “success” could look like for investors and communities alike.

The dollar’s weakness is no longer a contrarian call; it’s becoming the base case. But what’s driving its persistence, and what would finally confirm a full-blown dollar bear cycle? Sahil Mahtani revisits the forces behind the “sell America” trade, the limits of Fed leadership changes, and the signals investors are watching for the next leg lower.

After a breathtaking surge that carried gold well beyond $5 000 an ounce, followed by a brutal pullback, investors are questioning whether the rally has finally run its course. George Cheveley unpacks what drove the frenzy, why volatility is here to stay, and why gold equities may still offer compelling value despite the metal’s wild ride.

One of Jerome Powell’s last acts as Fed chair was to do nothing. Or so it may seem. In the face of sluggish employment but lively growth, US rates were left unchanged. But will benign inflation continue and ultimately sway future decisions to ease? Philip Saunders analyses the situation.

A stronger rand. Lower inflation. Rate cuts on the horizon. Malcolm Charles explains why South African bonds remain one of the most attractive income trades on the board, despite a blockbuster 2025. However, with the easy gains behind us, discipline and risk management will be essential.

In 2025, quality investing was overshadowed by AI exuberance, precious metals and momentum-driven market leadership. As volatility re-enters the picture, those same forces are being tested. Sumesh Chetty reflects on why the balance between growth, valuation and resilience is becoming harder to ignore. From gold’s rise to a reassessment of South African assets, he explores what may matter more as 2026 unfolds.