In Martin Scorsese’s 2013 epic “The Wolf of Wall Street”, the critically acclaimed director had his blockbuster interpretation on a sub-genre in American film. Glamourising the ins and outs of the finance industry specifically Wall Street circa 1987. We have seen the same tropes in other movies like Wall Street starring Michael Douglas and Charlie Sheen. As well as Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, where Douglas reprises his role as the capitalist, sharp witted Gordon Gekko. Now, these movies do make for good viewing with everything occurring on the screen moving at 200mph. Equal parts the excitement of coming into riches and subsequently losing them. However, in amongst the theatrical debauchery displayed in these movies, there are some gems littered across the run time.

In a high rise building on his first day on Wall Street a shy, unknowing Jordan Belfort (DiCaprio) sits in front of Mark Hanna (McConaughey). As a top trader Hanna aims to school a starry-eyed Belfort in the art of trading and brokering. “I don’t care if you’re Jimmy Buffet or if you’re Warren Buffet. No one and I mean no one, knows if the stock is gonna go up down sideways or in *expletive* circles.” he tells his new bookie with bravado. He goes on to explain how all brokers need to do is keep a close eye on the market and make informed decisions to get the best results for their clients and in return themselves. It is an oversimplified take on a complicated system, but it does give insight into the volatility of the market.

Now ICAP Africa Direct would never say that they do know how the markets are going to play out at any given time. However, what we can promise our clients is access to a wide variety of execution and information services globally to wholesale market participants. ICAP Africa Direct focuses and combines these resources to offer a holistic range of risk and execution services dedicated to the African financial and business markets. Our strategy is to evolve with the markets, stay ahead of the competition and constantly strive to improve the range and the quality of our services.

So, if the market is going up or down, sideways or in a circle you can trust ICAP Africa Direct’s team to, at the very least, help you make sense of it all.

If you would like to get in touch with us to help us, help you please email: elizabeth.haskins@icapafrica.org or jason.ramberose@icapafrica.org

We look forward to hearing from you!