Christopher Seabrooke loses more than $4 million on Sabvest shares

Key Points

• Christopher Seabrooke’s Sabvest stake dropped over $4 million as shares fell 5.18% since May 7 amid JSE mid-cap pullback.
• Seabrooke’s holdings surged $11 million from March to early May, driven by Sabvest’s diversified investments and strong investor response.
• Despite recent losses, Sabvest shares are up 7.39% year-to-date, maintaining appeal amid inflation and global interest rate uncertainties.

South African businessman Christopher Seabrooke has seen the value of his stake in Sabvest Capital fall by more than $4 million, as the shares of the Sandton-based investment holding company continued to decline on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).

Seabrooke, the largest individual shareholder in Sabvest, owns around 16 million shares in the firm. His stake, which was worth R1.67 billion ($92.5 million) on May 7, has dropped to R1.58 billion ($87.71 million), dragging his stake to R86.4 million ($4.79 million) in just two weeks.

This recent drop comes after a period of solid gains. Between March 14 and May 2, Seabrooke’s holdings increased by over $11 million, from $74.84 million to a high of $85.97 million, as investors responded positively to Sabvest’s diversified investment approach.

Recent pullback erases earlier gains

Sabvest Capital is an investment holding company based in Sandton, with activities spanning finance advances, portfolio management, and significant stakes in both listed and unlisted businesses. It also holds long-term investments in offshore bond portfolios.

Since May 7, Sabvest’s shares have fallen 5.18 percent, sliding from R104.20 ($5.78) to R98.80 ($5.48) at the time of writing. This has pushed the company’s market value below $215 million. The decline reflects a broader pullback in South Africa’s mid-cap equity segment, as investors grapple with inflation, fluctuating exchange rates, and uncertainty over global interest rates.

Still strong over the year

Despite the recent setbacks, Sabvest’s stock has gained 7.39 percent so far this year, outperforming many peers on the JSE. A $100,000 investment at the start of 2025 would now be worth $107,390, highlighting the company’s ongoing appeal for long-term investors.

Known for its disciplined, value-driven investing across various sectors, Sabvest remains a solid presence on the JSE. Still, analysts warn that the company’s near-term performance could continue to face challenges linked to broader emerging-market risks.