Travis Robson, CMgr MCMI, MBA, PGDM, FIFM In the realm of financial planning, the choices we make today lay the foundation for a secure and prosperous future. While we navigate the complex landscape of investment opportunities, it is essential to consider one of the most impactful decisions any parent faces – providing a private education for their children. This article aims to explore the strategic advantages of incorporating private education into your financial plan, emphasizing the long-term benefits that extend far beyond the classroom. The Value of Education: Education is a cornerstone ..read more

Coreen van der Merwe, a director at Sovereign Trust Offshore trusts are becoming increasingly popular with South Africans looking for broader investment options and ways to protect their assets from political and economic volatility. However, it’s important to know the key differences of offshore trusts to unlock their full benefits. The major benefits of offshore trusts include tax neutrality (zero income and capital gains tax), greater flexibility (no exchange control rules to comply with), and improved succession planning (efficient and confidential distribution of wealth to beneficiaries o ..read more

This content is password protected. To view it please enter your password below: Password: The post Protected: Opinion piece: What are some key trends and developments in retail investing in South Africa, and how do these impact the institutional market?  first appeared on Welcome to the Official Magazine of the SAIFM ..read more

By Pieter Hugo, Chief Client and Distribution Officer at M&G Investments Because many people are unable to save enough money throughout their working lives, the sad truth is that they face a high risk of running out of money in retirement (called longevity risk) or are possibly even unable to retire at all. This very common dilemma is exacerbated by the popular investment strategy of de-risking one’s portfolio at (or even before) retirement, in order to minimise volatility or reduce their risk of capital loss over the short term. While de-risking is a sound move for those who already have ..read more

Travis Robson Investing and trading are frequently regarded as daunting tasks, with many individuals believing that they require the ideal strategy to be successful. The reality is, however, that there is no perfect strategy, and even the most seasoned investors and traders occasionally incur losses. When it comes to trading and investing, consistency is key, and there are several ways to accomplish this without the ideal strategy. A well-defined investment or trading strategy is the first step towards consistency. This should include your financial objectives, risk tolerance, and time horizo ..read more

Travis Robson, MBA, PGDM, FIFM Fear Of Missing Out, or FOMO, is a term that has been used for years to characterise the anxiety or apprehension that people can experience when they fear missing out on something. The term “fear of missing out” (FOMO) has been used to describe everything from social events to financial investments, and it is particularly relevant to trading and investing in the present day. In trading and investing, FOMO refers to the dread of missing out on a potentially lucrative transaction or investment opportunity. It is the apprehension that an investor will lose out on a ..read more

Guarantees and what to consider By Francis Marais, Product Director at Morningstar Investment Management SA Market volatility is one of the few certainties when it comes to markets and investing. During times of market volatility, investors might be tempted to seek out safe-haven assets in an attempt to not only protect their investments against the fall in market prices but also to protect themselves against the emotional turmoil that these periods of market volatility bring about. Cash is usually the first perceived safety net investors ask about – “should I cash out now and rather get back ..read more

The danger of letting short-term market moves drive your decisions By Roné Swanepoel, Business Development Manager at Morningstar Investment Management SA “If I ask you what’s the risk in investing, you would answer the risk of losing money. But there actually are two risks in investing: One is to lose money and the other is to miss an opportunity. You can eliminate either one, but you can’t eliminate both at the same time.” – Howard Marks During January we saw a healthy rebound in asset prices as inflation numbers globally started to ease, China began reopening and Europe seemed to be more r ..read more

Grayson Rainier, Marketing Manager, M&G Investments Saving is good. Saving is useful. But simply putting your money in a bank account won’t make you wealthy. It helps you in emergencies, protects you from irresponsible spending, and lets you sleep peacefully at night knowing your money is safe.  It also lets you slowly accumulate money to buy things you want. However, it’s unlikely that your money will grow significantly over time just sitting in the bank. That’s because the interest rates on savings accounts are typically lower than those offered by investments like unit t ..read more

The impact of saving consistently through the up, down, and boring times “By Arno Olckers, Business Development Manager at Morningstar Management Investment SA” A sad, but harsh reality is that only 6% of South Africans can retire comfortably. “Comfortably” means that an investor retires earning 75% of their final salary in retirement, from the investments and savings put in place before their retirement. More often than not, investors only contribute the minimum percentage of their income to their retirement funding, wrongfully believing that this will provide them with an adequate amount wi ..read more