October 30, 2024 Today at 4:45 PM
Chris Sugira, analyst at Belfius Asset Management, host of the VRT Max podcast ‘Money Time’ and also a DJ under the name Masai, let his losses run. He tells this in the weekly investing podcast ‘De Beursvoyeurs’.
To say that Chris Sugira does an impressive amount of business at the same time is an understatement. Like a true Clark Kent, he simultaneously makes analyzes at Belfius Asset Management, tries to educate young people financially as host of the VRT Max podcast ‘Money Time’ and plays records as DJ Masai. “Young people are more and more concerned with their finances, and that is a good thing,” says Sugira. He arrived in Belgium from Rwanda at the age of two, and was struck by how unevenly the wealth was distributed. His continued interest in economics led him to his studies.
His job as an analyst has an impact on his personal portfolio. A stake in software maker Salesforce is his latest purchase. ‘In May the price had fallen by 20 percent, the time to jump on it. It was a good one call,’ says Sugira.
Mantra
‘I was interested in the clean energy sector and that prompted me to buy a hydrogen stock fund. In 2022, interest rates suddenly rose very quickly, and those shares were immediately hit hard. Then I had to sell it, very painfully, with a 50 percent loss,” said Sugira. A heavy blow. He still believes strongly in the potential of hydrogen as an energy source, but not as an investment. “I swear by a buffettian mantra: invest in what you understand,” Sugira laughs.
Curious about more? Listen to the latest episode of ‘The Stock Exchange Voyeurs’ with Ellen Vermorgen (De Tijd), Simon Renty (De Belegger) and Tomas De Soete (host).
Chris Sugira: The DJ & Analyst Who Dances with Losses
So, let’s talk about Chris Sugira, a man who appears to have stumbled into a crossover episode of Wall Street meets Saturday Night Fever. I mean, when you think of a DJ who moonlights as a financial analyst, the first question that pops into your head is probably, “Where’s the nearest serotonin explosion?” Spoiler alert: it’s in his podcast, ‘Money Time’—and maybe in the club where he spins records under the name Masai!
Born in Rwanda and landing in Belgium at just two years old, Sugira quickly learned that not all wealth is created equal—much like my attempts at foldable napkin art at formal dinners. It’s this acute awareness of financial disparities that drives him as an analyst at Belfius Asset Management. Who knew that beneath the beats and the financial analysis, there lies a guy who’s deeply concerned about how young folks approach their wallets?
Playing the Market (While Mixing Tracks)
Sugira’s recent investment decisions are like a DJ’s playlist—some hits, some misses, and a sprinkle of, “Did I actually just buy that?!”. He bought into Salesforce after a price drop of 20%. Talk about a ‘killer app’! Apparently, his financial antenna was twitching like a cat spotting a laser pointer. “It was a good one call,” he quips. But, given that your typical DJ can read a crowd as well as Sugira reads stock charts, one can only wonder if his rivals are shaking in their DJ shoes—because here comes ol’ “Wall Street Sugira”.
But, here’s where it gets spicy. The man decided to dip his toes into the clean energy sector with a hydrogen stock fund. Sounds great on paper—clean energy and all that jazz—until he got blindsided by the abrupt spike in interest rates. Ouch! He mentions selling it with a sheer 50 percent loss, and while I’ve seen harder falls at a school disco, that’s still got to sting. He’s still a hydrogen fan but now swears by a “buffettian mantra”: only invest in what you understand. Because, let’s face it, nobody wants to be the DJ who can’t beatmatch—especially not with their portfolio!
Final Thoughts from the Dancefloor of Finance
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s amusing to think that amidst all this hustle—be it analyzing stocks or dropping beats—Sugira is navigating financial waters with what seems like equal parts passion and perplexity. Young people are finally showing interest in their finances, yet Chris lends a gentle reminder to chill out about losses; they’re just “temporary.”
So, dear reader, if you find yourself flailing in the investment game or looking for clues on how to navigate this chaotic world of finance, you might want to tune in to ‘The Stock Exchange Voyeurs’. Spoiler: they talk about the stock market with the same enthusiasm your uncle talks about his stamp collection. But hey, at least it’s better than being stuck in the corner at the party trying to remember the last time you knew what a ‘bull market’ actually was.
So, until next time, remember: whether you’re in the booth or in the boardroom, keep your losses light and your investments deeper than the bass in a club!
October 30, 2024 Today at 4:45 PM
Chris Sugira, an insightful analyst at Belfius Asset Management and the dynamic host of the VRT Max podcast ‘Money Time’, is also known for his musical talents as a DJ under the moniker Masai. During a candid discussion on the popular investing podcast ‘De Beursvoyeurs,’ he shared his experiences about navigating personal losses in the investment landscape.
To describe Chris Sugira’s professional life as extraordinarily busy would indeed be a significant understatement. Much like the iconic superhero Clark Kent, Sugira juggles a multitude of responsibilities; he offers keen analyses at Belfius Asset Management, aims to enhance financial literacy among young adults through his podcast, and simultaneously captivates audiences as DJ Masai. “Young people today are increasingly conscious about their finances, which is a very positive development,” remarks Sugira. His journey began when, at the tender age of two, he arrived in Belgium from Rwanda and was immediately struck by the glaring disparities in wealth distribution, sparking his enduring passion for economics and leading him down the path of higher education in the field.
His role as an analyst substantially influences his personal investment decisions. Recently, he made a calculated move by acquiring shares in Salesforce, a leading software company. ‘In May, the stock price experienced a significant 20 percent drop—an opportune moment to invest. It turned out to be a wise call,’ Sugira reflects, expressing satisfaction with his decision.
Mantra
“My initial interest in the clean energy sector motivated me to invest in a hydrogen stock fund. However, in 2022, the sudden and dramatic rise in interest rates severely impacted those shares, forcing me to sell at a painful 50 percent loss,” Sugira explained. This setback was indeed a significant blow, but despite the loss, he remains optimistic about hydrogen’s potential as an energy source, though he’s wary of its viability as an investment. “I adhere to a Buffett-inspired mantra: invest in what you understand,” Sugira chuckles, emphasizing the importance of knowledge in successful investing.
Curious about more? Listen to the latest episode of ‘The Stock Exchange Voyeurs’ with Ellen Vermorgen (De Tijd), Simon Renty (De Belegger) and Tomas De Soete (host).
