Knowledge Centre

Global equity indices saw gains in the third quarter of 2024, largely fuelled by enthusiasm for US tech stocks and optimism about a soft landing for the US economy.

Market corrections don’t just test portfolios; they test people. In a bull market, everyone feels like a disciplined, long-term investor. Confidence is high, portfolios are growing, and the temptation to believe in one’s own investing skill is strong. But when the...

Budget 2025 The numbers in the Budget vote The vote on the Fiscal Framework was 194 for and 182 against, thus a slim majority of only 12. However, 24 members of Parliament (MPs) did not vote. A lot of uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) members...

Global equity indices saw gains in the third quarter of 2024, largely fuelled by enthusiasm for US tech stocks and optimism about a soft landing for the US economy.

26 November 2024 Turning South Africa into 1 big construction site is the expressed ideal of ministers from the ANC and the DA. What is the state of play, and what are the prospects? 2 sectors: public and private 2023 GDP IN...

18 November 2024 In this article, we focus on the more recent retirement income themes that defined 2024 and discuss some potential blind spots when structuring solutions for pensioners.    1. Can offshore be too much of a good thing?  In our...

Global equity indices saw gains in the third quarter of 2024, largely fuelled by enthusiasm for US tech stocks and optimism about a soft landing for the US economy.

As South Africa emerges from a period of intense load shedding, new challenges loom in the form of water risks. Deteriorating water quality and increasing disruptions to supply have become pressing issues, particularly in Gauteng, the country’s economic hub.

In the whirlwind of early October, South Africa witnessed pivotal shifts in both policy and politics. The government’s new visa regulations signify a significant step forward in making the country more accessible to foreign workers…

Global equity indices saw gains in the second quarter of 2024, largely fuelled by enthusiasm for US tech stocks and optimism about a soft landing for the US economy.

India’s growing influence on the global stage is undeniable. From its youthful population to its rapid digitization and commitment to clean energy, India is carving out a unique position in the world.

Recent tax law changes in South Africa impact trusts and non-resident beneficiaries. This article breaks down the key aspects of these amendments and their implications.

The first quarter of 2024 was virtually the mirror opposite of the prior quarter i.e., a poor start but a very good period for markets overall.

By Paul Hutchinson Many of us intuitively think that our personal inflation rate is higher than the Stats SA calculated inflation rate. But is it? A colleague of mine came across the following clipping from The Citizen newspaper of 1986, which allowed him to...

by Ninety One The South African retirement fund industry will shortly be undergoing a significant change with the introduction of the new two-pot retirement reform proposals. National Treasury has published draft legislation to give effect to these proposals. It is...

The fourth quarter of 2023 was virtually the mirror opposite of the prior quarter i.e., a poor start but a very good period for markets overall.

Every year we start with good intentions and New Year’s resolutions. However, research suggests that fewer than 25% of us follow through on these intentions.

Over the holiday period there were several important developments regarding the major issue facing the country, electricity.

The third quarter of 2023, despite a good start, was a difficult one for markets overall, primarily due to a big move higher in government bond yields.

In 2021, two researchers published a paper on corruption in the US between 1865 and 1941, a period infamous for its corruption.

Reflecting on the past two decades in the investment industry, and the significant changes that have occurred, can be extremely useful in helping us prepare for the future.

Trying to time the markets, in contrast, relies on luck and turns out to be yet another battle of attrition – one that history has proven again and again more than likely ends as tragically as its violent counterpart, in which there rarely are any winners.

The second quarter of 2023, despite many challenges and ongoing uncertainties, saw global markets post yet another set of strong equity returns after what was an already solid start to the year.

South African trusts with lay-person trustees are at risk of non-compliance due to recent changes in legislation. Discover the important updates and the potential consequences for trustees.

Learn how the decisions and trade-offs you make in the market will shape your financial future. Understand the risks investors face and how to mitigate them.

Discover the importance of integrating economics and foreign policy. Gain a deeper understanding of South Africa’s geopolitical considerations and the potential impact on its economy.

Many SA investors are fixated on the exchange rate when making an offshore investment. Here’s why it matters less than you think.

A former Eskom engineer, his wife and two engineering sons (the Bosch family) have developed a practical example of how electricity distribution in South Africa will change over the next few years.

The first quarter of 2023 proved to be no less eventful than 2022, although despite this, returns for the major asset classes were positive over the period.

If you’re looking for a way to make your money work harder for you, consider a Tax-Free Investments (TFI).

Gramsci was referring to politics in Italy in the 1930s, but the quote also describes Eskom and load-shedding in South Africa in the 2020s…

2022 was an eventful and extremely challenging year. The main underlying culprit for the disappointing equity and bonds market returns last year was high and rising inflation

The decision around your investment and retirement assets will be one of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make. However, investments are only one aspect of financial planning.

Fiscal consolidation and meaningful policy implementation is essential to restore investment confidence and a meaningful growth path.

Investors are probably eyeing 2023 with much trepidation after what turned out to be a rather painful 2022 for bonds and stocks alike.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog. The inter-governmental body…

The third quarter of 2022 was a tale of two halves. The first half up to mid-August saw most asset classes rebound from Q2 lows with the MSCI world Index returning 4.1%. This was largely due to investors pricing in less aggressive rate hikes…

We don’t like uncertainty. War and politics introduce uncertainty that affects us. The discomfort caused by this uncertainty could lead…

You can try trading in and out, but very few get that strategy right sustainably, and your advisor certainly would not recommend it.

The big news in June was corporate activity from Prosus and Naspers, which will see the company sell part of their stake in Tencent to fund a buyback of company shares to narrow the discount to net asset value and unlock value for shareholders.

Staying committed to your chosen investment strategy is the best policy. Financial success comes from acting on a plan.

Would it not be great if you could simply rely on this 10% return to be dutifully delivered every year? Read this article to learn more.

The fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the heavy sanctions consequently imposed on the Russian state, its leaders, and associated businesses. Read this article to learn more.

The major benefit of increasing offshore exposure is access to a greater opportunity set and the ability to diversify more effectively. Read this article to learn more.

With the current situation between Russia & Ukraine, your investments may be affected. Read this article to learn more.

Read more about the 3 current risk factors that may impact your investment opportunities in February 2022.

The following economic market overview looks at the performance over the 4th quarter of 2021.

We thought it might be useful to also consider some of the reasons as to why the coming year might not be quite as bad as many would predict.

These 5 questions from “How to avoid a climate disaster” by Bill Gates provide valuable, practical insights into understanding climate change.

The following market overview looks at the economic and market performance over Quarter 3 of 2021.

The following market review looks at the performance over the past quarter…

Alan Paton said in 1985, ‘South Africa is a place where you despair on Monday and hope on Tuesday.’

Will your overseas assets attract additional inheritance tax?

The following market review looks at the performance over the past quarter…

South Africa has now been in a ‘demographic recession’ for six years because the population grew faster than the economy…

This may be the dominant emotion of 2021. At first, I didn’t recognize the symptoms that we all had in common…

The Taxation Laws Amendment Act 2020, and the Tax Administration Laws…

The impressive speed with which the world has been able to develop a vaccine for COVID-19 and…

The following market review looks at the performance over the past quarter…

A proverbial storm has developed around South Africa’s procurement, or the perceived…

2020 has been tough. When we think back to the start of the year, who would…

Psychologist Daniel Kahneman was awarded the Nobel for economics for…

The year of Covid-19 has been challenging on so many levels, and when it comes…

National Treasury revised its GDP forecast to -7.8% in 2020, recovering to real GDP…

The following market review looks at the performance over the past quarter…

The death of a spouse is traumatic enough without having to deal with the aftermath…

There is palpable anger in the land about corruption. The anger is largely…