Noise, risk, and the art of ignoring both

Overnight global mood

Wall Street and London closed on Wednesday without major drama. Asian markets are quietly digesting whatever sentiment rolled off the US overnight. Nothing here to suggest the JSE opens with a bang, but watch the usual suspects for any fresh currency moves or commodity wobbles before the bell.

Today's big stories

• Managing risk in a noisy market. Clarity by Investec's Tinus Rautenbach on the eternal retail investor problem: too much information, too little signal. The hyper-connected world creates risk you didn't buy. Simple reminder that ignoring half of what you see on your phone is sometimes the best trade. Read more.
• Active versus passive: the false war. Ninety One's Natalie Phillips unpacks why the debate is backwards. Active and passive both work; what matters is whether your chosen weapon fits your style and timeline. Spoiler: nobody's getting rich arguing about it on Twitter. Read more.

Sector watch

Financials and industrials are your backbone as always. Watch resources for any overnight commodity shifts; gold and platinums are perpetually on the knife's edge. With load shedding still a feature, energy plays (and those dependent on stable power) remain worth monitoring. Nothing dramatic expected, but that's usually when the interesting moves happen quietly.

One thing to watch

The broader theme: spend today thinking about your own risk tolerance and information diet rather than chasing every headline. What noise are you letting in that doesn't serve your strategy? The JSE will be here tomorrow regardless; your temperament is what needs building.