Ellies (ELI) is a fledgling electronics company which imports and distributes electrical products and supplies solar power solutions. From its heyday in 2013 when the share traded at almost R10 a share, it has fallen to just 2c. Technically, the share has been in a strong downward trend. It is a fairly thinly traded penny stock with only about R100 000 worth of...
Jubilee Metals Group (JBL) is a diversified metals recovery company which re-processes mine waste and surface materials. It is listed both on the London AIM market and on the JSE's Alt-X. It has operations in South Africa, the UK, Madagascar, and Australia - and it is involved in a joint venture in Zambia to produce lead, zinc and vanadium. The company primarily...
Libstar (LBR) is a recently listed decentralised food and beverage company producing "consumer packaged goods" which raised R3bn in an initial public offer (IPO) in May 2018. It owns the Denny brand which is a leading mushroom supplier, and Lancewood which is known for dairy products and other food brands. Altogether it makes over 9000 products and has launched 88...
Sasol (SOL) is a massive international chemicals and energy company which has its roots in the oil-from-coal technology developed during the apartheid era in South Africa. About 50% of the company's profits are directly linked to the oil price. It has two main growth areas - its 50% stake in an ethane cracker plant in Louisiana, America, known as "Lake Charles...
Thungela Resources Ltd. (TGA), a spin-off from Anglo American's coal division, has positioned itself as a significant player in the thermal coal export market, with a strong focus on the Asian, Indian, Southeast Asian, and East and North African markets. The unbundling of Thungela from Anglo American reflects the latter's strategic shift away from carbon-intensive...
Sibanye-Stillwater (SSW) has emerged as a formidable force in the mining sector under the leadership of Neal Froneman, known for his strategic acumen and industry expertise. The company's aggressive acquisition strategy has significantly expanded its portfolio, making it the world's largest producer of platinum group metals (PGMs) and positioning it as a major...
Quantum, a player in the chicken industry, operates through four divisions: Animal feeds, eggs and layers, broilers, and an African division focused on related products. The company has navigated through challenges including droughts in Southern Africa, labor intensity with union exposure, substantial working capital tied up in stock and debtors, disease threats...
Mustek, South Africa's leading assembler of personal computers under the Mercer brand, along with importing a range of computer products from renowned brands like Samsung, Acer, and Microsoft, trades significantly below its net asset value (NAV). The company is starting to see benefits from its fiber-to-the-home initiatives, driving additional hardware sales. CEO...
Dis-Chem Pharmacies, listed since November 2016, directly competes with Clicks in the pharmaceutical, medicine, and beauty products markets. Originally a family business controlled by the Saltzman family through Ivlyn, it saw a significant change in August 2021 when Ivlyn sold a portion of its stake, reducing the family's interest to 31.4%. This move aimed to...
City Lodge Hotels operates approximately 62 hotels across six African countries, primarily targeting the business travel sector. The company's performance largely mirrors the economic conditions in South Africa. Historically well-managed, City Lodge is poised for growth as the economy rebounds. However, it faces challenges from reduced corporate travel and...
Pick 'n Pay, a major player in the retail grocery chain sector, operates 1,858 stores across South Africa and the rest of Africa. The company, established by Raymond Ackerman in 1967, underwent significant revitalization under CEO Richard Brasher from early 2013 until his retirement. Brasher's leadership marked a pivot towards centralizing distribution and...
Anglo American, a globally diversified mining company, offers a unique position within the commodity market due to its broad portfolio of minerals and a robust balance sheet. This diversity acts as a hedge against the volatility often associated with single-mineral companies, reducing the impact of bear trends in any one mineral market. The company's strong...
Blue Label Telecoms, a company known for selling secure tokens of value such as airtime, starter packs, and electricity, has faced significant challenges, particularly due to its investment in Cell-C. Acquiring a 45% stake in Cell-C in September 2016 for R7,55 billion, Blue Label's financial performance has been closely tied to the fortunes of the mobile operator....
Caxton and CTP Publishers and Printers Limited, operating in the challenging landscape of print and publishing, are navigating through the digital transformation affecting their industry. The company's efforts to adjust by reducing costs and transitioning towards digital platforms highlight its proactive stance against the steady erosion of advertising revenue and...
Gold Fields Limited, with its single mine in South Africa, South Deep, represents a significant player in the international gold mining landscape, albeit as a relatively high-cost operator. Acquired in 2006, the company has since invested a substantial sum in an effort to turn South Deep into a profitable venture. Despite being labeled as the "world's most...
Harmony Gold Mining Company's status as one of South Africa's most marginal gold mining operations paints a picture of a company operating on the fine line between profitability and loss, largely due to the close relationship between its cost of extraction and the fluctuating gold price. This delicate balance results in a share price characterized by volatility...
Mondi's status as a leading international paper and packaging company underscores its pivotal role in the global supply chain, offering a comprehensive range of products that cater to the ever-evolving needs of diverse markets. With operations spanning across 30 countries and a workforce of 26,000, the company's expansive footprint and operational diversity are...
Tiger Brands stands as a titan in the South African food industry, boasting an extensive portfolio of beloved brands that span a range of food categories. The company's resilience is tested time and again by challenges such as the tragic listeriosis outbreak, rising input costs, and the unpredictable South African consumer market. Despite these hurdles, Tiger...