Foord Asset Management

China’s economic challenges are well documented. But do the headlines tell the whole story?   Following a recent trip to China, Foord’s South African CIO, Nick Balkin, joins Linda Eedes to discuss the country’s technological innovation, intense competition and investment opportunities.   They explore why individual businesses can thrive despite subdued economic growth, the importance of competitiv...

South Africans vote in municipal elections on 4 November, but the political shifts at play reach well beyond local government. Join the conversation with Foord portfolio manager Nancy Hossack and political economist Frans Cronje to look at where power is moving in South Africa.    They talk about coalition stability, the ANC’s next chapter, South Africa’s changing relationship with the US, and wha...

Owning more investments does not necessarily mean you are diversified. The ten largest companies now make up around 40% of the S&P 500, while South Africa’s market carries its own concentration risk through gold and precious-metals shares.    In this episode, Linda Eedes examines why portfolios can hold many securities yet remain exposed to the same economic story. She explains why diversifica...

Has US exceptionalism gone too far?     Portfolio managers Brian Arcese and Ishreth Hassen discuss US market concentration, US equity valuations and the risks of global portfolios becoming increasingly exposed to one market, one currency and one investment theme.    From the valuation gap between the US and Asia to overlooked businesses in markets such as Korea, India and Indonesia, they discuss h...

The predictions that artificial intelligence would make entire professions redundant were confident. But jobs in areas thought to be most vulnerable have still not disappeared as expected, and businesses are increasingly training employees to use AI more effectively.   In this episode, Linda Eedes considers what AI’s evolving impact on employment reveals about forecasting the future. From valuatio...

July’s market returns may have looked relatively flat on the surface, but beneath them lay significant volatility across AI-related technology stocks.     In this episode, Linda Eedes unpacks the story of a high-profile AI hedge fund collapse and the lessons it offers on risk management. She explores why successful investing is about more than predicting the future, highlighting the importance of...

Inflation is rising again, interest rate expectations keep shifting, oil prices are moving around, and AI optimism is still driving market excitement. Where do these varying signals leave investors?  In our latest podcast, client portfolio manager Dalphin Hou and portfolio manager Brian Arcese unpack why successful investing is less about calling the next market move and more about being prepared...

Artificial intelligence continues to attract record levels of investment, with billions flowing into data centres, microchips and AI infrastructure. Alongside this excitement, the gap between AI market expectations and real-world productivity is getting harder to ignore.   In our latest podcast, AI: Opportunity with Caution, Brian Arcese speaks to JC Xue about where we may be in the AI investment...

AI has captured the market’s imagination, but inflation may prove the more persistent test.   Transformative technologies can create extraordinary long-term winners, but history shows that innovation-led booms often bring overvaluation and painful capital losses when too much capital chases too many opportunities at the wrong price.   AI matters. But even the strongest investment themes can become...

Despite ongoing conflict in the Middle East, increased oil prices and persistent trade tensions, global markets continued to move higher in May - driven largely by the ongoing AI investment boom.   In this episode of Markets in a Nutshell, Linda Eedes focuses on what matters from here.   She explores how the AI race is reshaping global markets, why deglobalisation may keep inflation structurally h...

After a volatile March, global markets rebounded sharply in April – even as geopolitical tensions escalated and inflation pressures continued to build. In this episode of  Markets in a Nutshell , Linda Eedes focuses on what matters from here. She explores the macroeconomic backdrop shaping global markets, the risk of inflation staying higher for longer and why now is not the time for investor comp...

March was a reminder of how quickly market optimism can unravel. The beginning of the month was defined by hopes that inflation had been tamed and would start to fall. But by mid-March, the escalation of the Israel-American conflict with Iran triggered an inescapable disruption the world over. Linda Eedes unpacks this shift and its immediate and far-reaching consequences on global markets during M...

In February 2026, the S&P 500 stalled while international markets surged, outperforming the US by the widest margin since 2009. From ‘AI scare trades’ to US policy uncertainty, investors are questioning the long-held assumption of US dominance.   Investment professional Linda Eedes unpacks why capital is shifting toward Europe, Asia and a resilient South Africa, and why gold – not US Treasurie...

January started with a geopolitical bang, and the world’s risk premium rose - forcing markets to price a world in which alliances appear more transactional and institutions more exposed to politics. In this month’s Markets in a Nutshell, investment professional Linda Eedes recaps January 2026, from equity gains amid tensions to sharp commodity reversals. Volatility reminded us that crowded trades...

Rate cuts and resilient growth defied recession fears in 2025. Global equities delivered their strongest year since 2019, with European and emerging markets outperforming the US by double digits. Commodities surged to record highs. Linda Eedes reflects on a remarkable year of unexpected outcomes – and why misbehaving markets remain the greatest certainty as investors step into 2026.

Markets paused in November as US equities stayed flat, tech underperformed, and gold soared while Bitcoin slumped. South Africa rallied on supportive conditions, while China remained under pressure. Linda Eedes explains why diversification—blending growth with defensiveness—remains key for resilience in uncertain times.

Foord Founder Dave Foord joins Investment Professional Linda Eedes to discuss the major structural forces shaping markets over the next five years. They explore why politics now dominates economics, the unsustainable debt path of the US and Europe and the 'big train smash' coming in the private credit market.

In our monthly podcast, 'Markets in a Nutshell', Linda Eedes breaks down October's market dynamics. She explains why cyclical mining shares pulled back sharply despite rising gold prices and addresses the AI investment frenzy. Linda discusses the impressive, consistent returns of the Foord Balanced Fund and outlines why we are focused on deploying capital into low-debt, high-quality SA...

In the latest episode of our monthly podcast, ‘Markets in a Nutshell’, Linda Eedes breaks down the key market trends of September 2025. September capped off another strong month for risk assets, extending a remarkable rally across global markets. Listen to the episode as we unpack the drivers of these gains, including a surge in South African equities, a rise in emerging markets and continued stre...

In our monthly podcast, ‘Markets in a Nutshell’, Linda Eedes breaks down the key market trends of August 2025. Despite some market turbulence, global markets saw gains in August, driven by positive corporate earnings and slowing inflation. Listen to the full podcast for insights on how political decisions impacted the US, the mixed performance of commodities, and the importance of cautious investi...

In our monthly podcast, ‘Markets in a nutshell’, Linda Eedes unpacks July’s market performance. While global equities pushed higher, particularly in US and Chinese markets, underlying risks are emerging. US economic data showed mixed signals, with a rebound in growth but a weakening labour market. Meanwhile, rising tariffs and political pressures in the US raise concerns.

In our monthly podcast, ‘Markets in a nutshell’, Linda Eedes breaks down the key market trends of June. From the sharp recovery in US equities to emerging markets leading the charge, Linda unpacks the impact of geopolitical tensions, US policy changes, and currency movements. Tune in for insights on how Foord is navigating these dynamics while maintaining a disciplined approach to risk.

The past year has seen political shifts, economic challenges, and growing pressure for reform but South Africa's greatest strength may lie in what remains possible. In our latest podcast, portfolio manager Nancy Hossack and political economist Frans Cronje unpack the country’s current trajectory — from faltering business and consumer confidence to the fragile gains under the Government of Nati...

In this episode, Foord Singapore portfolio managers Brian Arcese and Ishreth Hassen dive deep into the evolving landscape of innovation. They explore what truly defines transformative technologies versus short-lived trends, and how investors can navigate this complex space. From AI to biotech, cloud computing, and digital finance, they discuss the real value created by innovation and how it drives...

In our monthly podcast, ‘Markets in a nutshell’, Linda Eedes explores what made May 2025 one of the strongest months for equity markets in the past year and whether the rebound is built on solid ground. She also reflects on how Foord’s portfolios performed during the month, highlighting the value of cautious optimism and global diversification.