Introduction: Simon Brown kicks off the episode discussing the current state of the Rand, noting its stability leading up to the elections despite fluctuations. Speculation around ANC's momentum in the polls and potential coalition scenarios. The impact of the dollar's weakness on the Rand's performance. Structured Products: Simon delves into the concept of structured products, which offer capital guarantees and enhanced returns through strategic investment mechanisms like options and bonds. Announcement of an upcoming Power Hour with Standard Bank focusing on structured products. Brief overview of actively managed certificates, also at next weeks Standard Bank Power Hour. FNB's New ETNs: FNB's introduction of new Exchange Traded Notes (ETNs), including a variety of indices and US-listed stocks. Explanation of Compo and Quanto variations, tailored to currency impacts. Highlights of recently launched ETNs, such as Nvidia, Booking Holdings, Eli Lilly, and Palo Alto Networks. Amazon.co.za's Arrival: Simon provides insights into Amazon.co.za's debut in South Africa, discussing initial observations and comparisons with local competitors. Discussion on the potential impact of Amazon's entry on brick-and-mortar retailers and existing online platforms. Exploring Small Caps: Simon poses the question of whether local small caps on the JSE offer value or pose as value traps. Definition and implications of value traps in investments, emphasising the importance of dividends and price appreciation. Insights from John Biccard of Investec on potential post-election performance in small caps. Examination of various small cap stocks, analysing dividend yields, price-to-book ratios, and earnings potential. Simon's perspective on the opportunities and challenges presented by small cap investments, urging caution and strategic analysis. * I hold ungeared positions. All charts by KoyFin | Get 10% off your order