South African markets delivered a constructive performance in July despite a challenging economic backdrop. The JSE All Share Index advanced, supported by gains in resources, listed property and large dual-listed counters, while encouraging progress on electricity supply and infrastructure reforms continued to bolster confidence. However, the local economy remains constrained by elevated borrowing costs, softer…
After years of market turbulence followed by surprisingly resilient recoveries, many investors are asking an unexpected question: “Am I being too cautious?”
Let’s look at how recent experience shapes our perception of risk, why discipline still matters, and the role thoughtful financial advice plays in keeping emotions from driving investment decisions.
For a long time, a second income was a nice-to-have: a “side hustle” that brought in some extra spending money, or was a way to express your interests and creativity outside of work. But it is increasingly becoming something entirely different: ‘career insurance’.
In this article we look at a profound shift in how people think about a second income, and why it is becoming more critical.
For many South Africans, the annual medical scheme increase has become one of the most dreaded notifications of the year. As healthcare costs continue to outpace inflation and salaries, more families are questioning whether private healthcare is still affordable. Before making decisions to downgrade or cancel your cover, it’s worth speaking to your financial adviser about balancing affordability with the protection your family needs.
This year, just about everything that could go wrong has gone wrong. But despite the turmoil markets have shown remarkable resilience. Time and again, investors have been confronted with events that seemed destined to derail global growth, only for fundamentals to reassert themselves. As wars, technology, and economic policy continue to pull markets in different directions, one question remains: why do markets keep ending up in almost exactly the same place?
The second quarter of 2026 was shaped by a mix of improving market sentiment, shifting interest-rate expectations and continued debate around the sustainability of narrow market leadership. While investors had to navigate geopolitical uncertainty, volatile commodity prices and persistent inflation risks, diversified portfolios were generally rewarded over the quarter. Local markets Locally, South African markets…
Earning a first paycheck is a big step in anyone’s life. The value of that money in your bank account goes well beyond just the financial. It’s a significant psychological shift. It is a moment of great opportunity, but also one fraught with challenges. In this article we look at how to navigate your first salary and to optimise it for your future like a seasoned financial architect.
For generations, financial planning followed a familiar script: build a career, buy a home, raise a family and, eventually, pass wealth on to the next generation. While that path still resonates with many, modern lives are far more diverse. The reasons for not having kids may differ, but the financial question is often the same: if your wealth is not destined for children, how can it best enrich your life, reflect your values and leave a meaningful legacy long after you are gone?
We all know investing is about building wealth over time. By saving consistently and investing prudently, we aim to lay the groundwork for long-term financial wellbeing. But the most fulfilled people are not always those who have accumulated the greatest amount of wealth. More often, they are those who feel that their skills, resources and experiences have become part of something larger than themselves.
Since the year dot, narratives have driven investor sentiment. June’s narrative was largely positive for South Africa as investors uprated our investment potential, but it was decidedly rocky for US investors, with chipmakers leading stock markets to heady highs before driving them down to disconcerting lows.