Editor’s Thoughts.

As is customary, the first week of the month sees the reporting of the market performances for the prior month. But this week, my inbox feels unusually cluttered with commentary for April. There’s a lot of content and opinion and predictions around performance, geopolitics, and quite literally the price of eggs (oil).

And while the headlines might feel like they’re all over the place, one common thread emerges from all the experts and advisors on investments and benefits: resilience comes from preparation, not prediction.

In markets, Kyle Hulett (Sygnia) highlights how AI and geopolitics are driving a narrow, theme‑led equity rally. Speaking of AI, in the ultimate irony, SA’s Draft National AI Policy has just been withdrawn after it was found to contain fictitious, likely AI-generated citations – a policy intended to govern AI, undermined by ungoverned AI?

And Lethu Zulu (Sanlam Investments Multi‑Manager) shows that, in volatile conditions, only the right hedge funds truly earn their keep by protecting capital and pivoting quickly.

When it comes to people strategies, Trevor Kingsley‑Wilkins (NMG) says group funeral cover remains one of the most affordable, high impact ways employers can support staff, provided cover levels are realistic and beneficiary details are kept up to date. On your career, Nolundi Matomane (Pnet) reminds that careers are less linear, and that transferable skills – critical thinking, collaboration, AI literacy and leadership – are now as valuable as formal qualifications.

There’s no doubt there’s a lot going on. In today’s episode of Industry Insights EBnet.Stream catches up with Hazel Hopkins (Axiomatic). She shares her thoughts on these challenges and the things we can be doing to make sure our employees and clients are prepared.

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