In the start-up world you will find many views on whether men or women bring the most value. ANZA Capital, a local venture capital funding firm unpacking the impact of diversity in SME funding with a specific focus on investment into women-led start ups.

The consensus in global markets increasingly seems to be that the US Federal Reserve (the Fed) will start cutting interest rates soon. But while market participants have overwhelmingly positioned for a rate cutting outcome, Duayne Le Roux, Fund Manager at PSG Asset Management believes the future path of inflation is not as clear-cut as most would believe.

Old Mutual Wealth Investment Strategist, Izak Odendaal discusses market events over the past two weeks. He commented on how walking a metaphorical tightrope remains a daily duty for most investors. It is a balancing act between the need for inflation-beating returns over time, and the risk that comes from equity investing.

The JSE reported strong results with a Net Profit After Tax of R493 million and a 4.2% growth in operating income, driven by diversified revenue streams and strategic innovations in technology and sustainability, despite a challenging macro-economic environment.

Adriaan Pask of PSG Wealth warns that the recent surge in tech stocks, driven by AI hype, mirrors past bubbles. Nvidia's soaring valuation exemplifies the risks, urging investors to seek safer, proven opportunities instead of speculative gains.

Recent market volatility has surged, echoing past crises. Despite strong market performance, AI investments and economic data have sparked concerns. Long-term investors should remain focused on well-diversified, high-quality companies and avoid timing the market.