Axe Capital Investments

Clear market notes built around the JSE, the rand, and what matters locally.

Axe Capital Trading News shares simple market takes on the stories moving South African shares, the rand, and a handful of major currency pairs.

What you will find here:

1. JSE shares, South African companies, and the local knock-on effects of big market news.

2. The rand, interest rates, and a small group of forex pairs, with USD/ZAR at the centre.

3. Global stories only when they can actually change how a local investor might act.

Latest market stories

Better Healthcare ETF: Vanguard's Broad VHT vs. the iShares Biotechnology-Focused IBB

2026-10-05 05:04 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective

The article compares two healthcare ETFs: Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) offers broad sector exposure with a low 0.09% expense ratio and 1.4% dividend yield, while iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) focuses on biotech with higher growth potential (49.8% 1-year return) but greater volatility and a 39.8% maximum drawdown. VHT is recommended for conservative investors seeking stability, while IBB suits high-risk growth investors.

Axe note: Comparing Vanguard's broad healthcare exposure to iShares' biotech-focused volatility.

Peter Thiel Was an Early Outside Investor in Facebook and Co-Founded Both PayPal and Palantir Before Building a Hedge Fund Now Concentrated in Power and Energy Stocks. Here's What That Track Record Says About Following His Contrarian Bets.

2026-10-05 02:15 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective

Peter Thiel, known for successful tech investments including Facebook and PayPal, is now shifting his hedge fund portfolio toward power and energy stocks, betting on a projected 60% increase in electricity demand between 2025-2045 driven by AI and electric vehicles. However, the article cautions that investors should conduct their own research rather than blindly following famous investors, as even successful ones make mistakes.

Axe note: Peter Thiel is moving from tech to energy, predicting a 60% surge in electricity needs driven by AI and EVs.

How HPE Stock Gained 22.3% in September

2026-10-05 02:03 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) stock surged 22.3% in September 2026, driven by strong AI data center demand. The company reported a 34% revenue increase to $12.2 billion in Q3, with AI systems orders jumping over 30% to $2.4 billion. HPE also secured a $1.2 billion order from Vultr for AMD Helios AI racks and expanded deals with Oracle for AI networking infrastructure. Despite nearly tripling year-to-date, HPE trades at a reasonable 14.8x forward earnings with expected free cash flow of $5 billion in fiscal 2027.

Axe note: HPE’s 22% jump on AI demand shows tech infrastructure’s growth, with implications for the rand and SA markets.

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What we follow

We keep the focus on JSE shares, the rand, and the currency moves that matter most to South African investors.

JSE and rand