Dear Clients, Firstly, I must send thoughts and prayers to those who have lost loved ones and livelihoods in the wake of the recent protests. I am not writing this as an expert, but rather as a committed optimist. For the story of humanity, is a story of optimism… While writing this, I am listening…
Sanlam has created a series of beautifully crafted videos on Life and Retirement. Do enjoy Conversation no 1 with Yourself which highlights the significance of all the little decisions we make along the way. It emphasizes the impact of choices such as ‘time off to find yourself’, the purchase of an overly expensive car and too much…
One of the most common headlines in the world currently relates to the concept of ‘trade wars’. This has quickly become the most cited risk to markets with 60% of the fund managers surveyed in the latest BofA Merrill Lynch Global Fund Manager Survey listing the possibility of a protracted trade war as the biggest…
Why is life so expensive? In our last newsletter, we discussed the importance of investing consistently from the very start of our careers to ensure a comfortable retirement. This time around, we look at why this is becoming increasingly difficult in South Africa. We also offer some handy tips on how to combat the uncomfortable…
As citizens of the western world, we all highly value our independence. We’re taught from an early age to be determined, educated and strive for individual success. So, when life deals us a few rough hands, which it often does, it can be very disappointing if you end up needing to depend on your family…
Last year we wrote to you about our commitment to your financial wellness which is a way of re-framing your wealth so that it adds meaning and joy to your life. This process can take years, as it’s not comfortable to divulge all your details, and map and marry your emotions with money. In this…
Some investors may find it interesting to note that South Africa has been one of the globe’s best-performing stock markets for almost 100 years. We have been fortunate to say the least, with returns outstripping inflation by more than 8% since 1926. Global investors have not been as lucky, a relatively low 6% real return…
Alarm bells have been ringing in homes around Cape Town and it’s not about day zero – it’s about the worrying rumour that property prices in our beautiful city are nosediving. Now, before you make any rash decisions as to whether to buy or sell – hang back, take a quiet sip of coffee, and…
Investors and the public at large will note with some anxiety the prospect of ‘land expropriation without compensation’ as a targeted policy by the ruling party. In this article we assess the potential outcomes of this policy on investor portfolios, and where both opportunities and threats may exist. A change to the Constitution The motion…
A large part of our fund research work focusses on trying to understand how a fund manager thinks. While most businesses want you to believe that it’s all about ‘philosophy’ or ‘process’, in reality it is people who manage funds and people who make investment decisions, not processes. Understanding the inner workings of the individual…