For many investors the term ETF is synonymous with index-tracking, or so-called “passive” investments, and the concept of an actively-managed ETF therefore represents a contradiction in terms. But the term “active management” does not necessarily mean lots of activity or significant tracking differences to the reference index, and it offers opportunities to manage index-referenced investments more efficiently ..read more

FNB recently listed three new offshore ETFs, but the underlyings are very familiar to us – MSCI World, MSCI Emerging Markets and S&P 500. How do you choose between multiple ETF options when they offer the same – or very similar – underlying investment exposure ..read more

Financial advisors play an important and valuable role in the wealth creation and preservation journey. But can you DIY at least some of it, and if so, where and how? The ETFSA Investor Hub is the perfect combination of digital-when-you-want-it, and human-when-you-need-it ..read more

There is so much more to investment on the stock exchange than buying shares in local companies, and the strong growth in bond ETFs are testimony to the attraction of a whole new world for investors. Whether you think “bonds are boring”, or “the bond market is the smartest in the world”, this discussion on actively-managed bond ETFs is bound to expand your horizons ..read more

As central banks continue with the interest rate mantra of “higher-for-longer”, the uncertainty of the timing and speed of expected rate cuts present specific challenges for investors looking for stable and inflation-beating income. An active strategy through this period of volatility and uncertainty can offer specific benefits, but do you understand the additional risks this may bring ..read more

There has been a sudden surge in interest in precious metal ETFs in recent months, especially in platinum. What is driving this demand? Why can only some banks, and no asset managers, be issuers of commodity ETPs? In addition to platinum, we cover gold, silver, palladium and rhodium in this podcast ..read more

Liquid Private Credit in the US market is an investment opportunity not readily available to South African investors in any form other than an actively-managed certificate (AMC). Prior to the global financial crisis in 2008, most companies raised capital and financing by traditional means such as either banks or via public debt, but subsequent regulatory changes restricted the amount of bank lending to smaller and riskier businesses. In simple terms, that’s where private credit stepped in to fill the gap thus created in the market ..read more

One of the most universal investment objectives is the attractiveness of dividends, especially if this can be earned in addition to capital growth, and during times of increased uncertainty the value of dividends in support of total return become even more valuable. Given the high inflationary environment in which we find ourselves, with talks of a possible global recession thrown in, many investors are searching high and low for returns with the hope of preserving capital, especially in real terms ..read more

ETFs, ETNs, AMCs – three-letter acronyms that all fall under the umbrella of ETPs (exchange-traded products). It all sounds complicated and can become quite confusing. As an investor, how do you know which ones to invest in, and should you be concerned about the specific product structure of the investment? Simply put, ETPs offer the ability to diversify your portfolio by being invested in a basket of shares across different sectors and geographies, or get exposure to hard to come by commodities. Actively Managed Certificates, or AMCs, are also considered ETPs, so it offers many of the same be ..read more

Socially Responsible Investments, and specifically strategies designed to focus on Reduced Fossil Fuel, are to some extent a subset of a broader ESG focus on investment strategies. On the surface it ticks all the right boxes for retail and institutional investors alike. But what are some of the nuances of which investors should be aware, and how do you assess it for suitability in your investment portfolio, perhaps alongside exposure to physical commodities ..read more