Johannesburg, South Africa – 24 June 2026 – South Africa’s leading investment professionals gathered at the JSE on 24 June for the 2026 Financial Mail Top Analyst Awards, celebrating the analysts and research teams whose work continues to shape informed investment decisions across the country’s capital markets.
Since 1974, the Financial Mail Top Analyst Awards have recognised the analysts and research teams whose work helps investors navigate South Africa’s listed markets. More than five decades later, the awards remain one of the industry’s most respected benchmarks of research excellence, recognising the insight, discipline and judgement behind outstanding investment research.
Hosted by the JSE, with independent research conducted by Krutham, the awards were proudly supported by EquityRT as Platinum Sponsor, alongside the continued support of the CFA Society South Africa in recognising excellence across the investment profession.
The evening, hosted by financial journalist Nastassia Arendse, brought together leaders from across South Africa’s investment community. Addresses from Valdene Reddy, Group CEO of the JSE, Dr Stuart Theobald, Executive Chairman of Krutham, Thato Mashigo, President of CFA Society South Africa, and Rob Rose, Editor-in-Chief of the Financial Mail, highlighted the importance of trusted research, professional standards and informed decision-making in strengthening South Africa’s capital markets.
Also addressing guests, Vijen Surjooram, Managing Director of EquityRT South Africa, reflected on the growing role of artificial intelligence in financial markets, while reinforcing the enduring importance of quality data and human judgement.
“At EquityRT, we continue to invest in new technologies and AI capabilities. Yet one principle remains unchanged: no matter how sophisticated the technology becomes, the quality of the output always depends on the quality of the information that feeds it.”
Surjooram also highlighted EquityRT’s commitment to developing future investment professionals through the EquityRT Alpha Programme and its ongoing partnership with the CFA Society South Africa. These initiatives provide aspiring analysts with practical exposure to professional research tools and methodologies, helping bridge the gap between academia and industry.
“We hope these initiatives help shape the next generation of investment professionals—some of whom may one day stand on this stage.”
This year’s awards saw SBG Securities named Overall Research Team of the Year, ahead of RMB Morgan Stanley and Absa CIB, reflecting the depth of analytical talent across South Africa’s investment industry. The results highlighted the strength of the country’s research community, with firms continuing to raise the standard of investment analysis in an increasingly dynamic market environment.
While the evening recognised outstanding individual and team performances, it also reinforced a broader message: strong capital markets are built on trusted information, rigorous analysis and independent thinking. As technology continues to reshape the investment industry, the Financial Mail Top Analyst Awards remain a reminder that the quality of investment decisions will always depend on the quality of the research behind them.