MONTHLY DIGEST #28 | APRIL 2023

Hi,

THE CAPITAL MARKETS

I hope you have successfully closed the month of April. The Global Markets had a positive run, and there is no reason to waste time on possible scenarios and forecasts for the coming months. I like building, managing, and funding my all-weather portfolio and letting the compound do its magic.

CONSULTING – IMPACT INITIATIVES

On a personal note, the second half of April was heartbreaking. My work-related mission in Sudan – briefly discussed in two articles – was abruptly followed by terrible fights among local armies. I can hardly summarize it with the classic African quote: “When two elephants fight, the grass gets trampled”. The two factions are heavily supported by different regional and international sponsors. Needless to say, my impact investment initiatives in Sudan will be drastically revised to favour basic humanitarian needs.

Back to timeless insights. Enjoy this curated list of Sweat Your Assets monthly content.

QUOTES

• PERSONAL FINANCE. On Educating your children. My kids are older now. […], but they don’t understand. I tell them all the time: We ain’t rich. I’m rich. (Shaquille O’Neal)
• ENTREPRENEURSHIP. You go to war with the army you have, not the army you might want or wish to have at a later stage (Donald Rumsfeld)
• MINDSET. I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it. (George Bernard Shaw)

ARTICLES

PERSONAL FINANCE. I value Naftali Horowitz’s capacity to comment on Personal Finance and Investment tips, based on his rich experiences as Rabbi (Spiritual Religious Leader in Judaism) and Managing Director at CJ Morgan Chase. His clear mission in serving his clients, and his community, but also a wide audience makes him a great financial teacher, spiced up by his sharp and cunning communication style. Read More.

PERSONAL FINANCE. How do you teach your children how to invest? After all, along your Journey to Financial Independence, you will have the honour and responsibility to transfer your knowledge and experience to them. Key topics will be how to manage money and investments, and the rookie mistakes to avoid. As usual, the sooner you teach them, the better. Read More.

INVESTING. Bulls make Money. Bears Make Money. Pigs get slaughtered. Netflix Co-Founder Marc Randolph has recently shared this old Wall Street Expression, to introduce his Risk Mitigation Approach to Investing.  If you practise Active Investing, Marc’s strategy is gold! Read More.

IMPACT. Despite the political transition, fragile economy and poor infrastructure, Sudan hosts a dynamic ecosystem of young entrepreneurs and startups ready to serve the regional and global market with innovative products and services. 

IMPACT. I recently had the pleasure of visiting farmers’ groups, agri-business experts, distributors, and Financial Institutions serving farmers in Gedaref State (Sudan). Despite the Fragile Ecosystem, there are huge business and investment opportunities in Sudan that can uplift local communities and hit SDGs.