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

2026-10-13 23:36 • The Motley Fool Negative Axe Cap view: Selective

FB Financial's stock fell over 4% after posting Q3 results that missed revenue expectations ($174.5M vs. $181.6M consensus) despite meeting earnings per share estimates at $1.21. While the regional bank grew deposits by 9% and loans by 10%, investors were disappointed by declining mortgage banking profitability and lack of meaningful top-line improvement from growth initiatives.

Axe note: Meeting earnings but missing revenue points to a cautious outlook on growth.

2026-10-13 23:35 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective

Palantir Technologies has overtaken CrowdStrike in quarterly revenue, with Palantir achieving 93% growth in Q2 2026 compared to CrowdStrike's 26% growth. While CrowdStrike maintains steady revenue increases driven by cybersecurity demand amid AI threats, Palantir is experiencing accelerating growth fueled by its AI platform and NVIDIA partnership, demonstrating stronger market demand.

Axe note: Palantir’s booming AI-driven growth eclipses CrowdStrike’s steady cybersecurity gains, spotlighting big tech shifts impacting rand-sensitive investors.

2026-10-13 23:23 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective

Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are both Dividend Kings with strong dividend histories. While PepsiCo offers a higher yield (4.7% vs 2.4%), Coca-Cola commands a premium valuation due to superior sales growth (5% in Q2, fastest in 17 years) and stronger earnings growth expectations (7.4% vs 4.8%). PepsiCo faces margin pressures from cost inflation and lowered guidance, while Coca-Cola raised its full-year earnings outlook. Coca-Cola is recommended as the better buy despite its higher P/E multiple of 26x versus PepsiCo's 16x.

Axe note: Coke’s stronger sales growth and upgraded guidance justify paying more over Pepsi’s higher yield and cheaper valuation.