Nikkei highs, Pick n Pay lows, Bitcoin 1million (#576)

Nikkei 225 reached a new all-time high after 35 years Historical context: peaked in December 1989, 82% drawdown by March 2009. Factors contributing to the 80s crash: Yen protection, low rates, speculative bubble. Current challenges: aging population, economic complexities, recent inflation. Investment options: Sygnia JP (SYGJP) - JSE-traded, and Investec's structured product. Warren Buffett's Annual Letter Warren Buffett's annual letter to shareholders released. AGM scheduled for May 4th, details about screening yet to be announced. Historical and informative; available on BerkshireHathaway.com. City Lodge Results City Lodge results: Revenue up 10%, dividend up 20%, HEPS up 10%. Occupancy at 61%, pricing power at 65%. Challenges in margins due to increased focus on food and beverage. Comparison with other hospitality stocks: Sun International, Southern Sun. MultiChoice Canal+ Offer Canal+ acquires 35.01% of MultiChoice voting rights, triggering a mandatory offer. Takeover Regulation Panel ruling. Speculation on Canal+ offer price, potential sweetening of the deal. Bitcoin and Bitcoin Halving Bitcoin trading around $59,884, near all-time highs. Upcoming Bitcoin halving in April and its potential impact. Local perspective on Bitcoin and its role in the market. Bitcoin in ZAR trading over a million, emphasising its volatility. Discussion on Bitcoin's market cap compared to traditional stocks. Pick n Pay* Update Pick n Pay's disappointing update: debt doubled, sales going backward. Market's negative reaction reflected in the stock price. Potential exit strategy if weekly close falls below 2022. * Simon holds ungeared positions.