Investments

As long term investors, we need to ignore high-frequency economic data and short term forecasts. There will always be market or media pundits predicting or forecasting the next big crash or stock market meltdown. And in the words of the Oracle of Omaha, aka Warren Buffet – “market forecasters will fill your ear but will […]

The low interest rate environment is not helpful to people who are dependent on income, plus a high degree of capital stability.  A favorable alternative to money market funds, i.e. Cash Plus Funds, could possibly be considered for providing stable income or stable yield to investors seeking returns in excess of money market funds without

Inflation – how to interpret it – how to measure it – how to combat it – how to relate to it in our own financial plans?  These are questions we often ask.  This week’s Money Marketing offers an easy-to-relate-to view on Inflation/CPI worth reading.  In my own office I have an interesting visual aid

By Dr Simon Pearse, Marriott Asset Management CEO The hottest question in the investment industry right now is “where is the rand going to go?” The answer, of course, is not simple. There are numerous factors influencing the currency at present, not least the attempts by many countries to weaken their currencies in order to

In today’s newsletter we take a look at the recovery and share some economic and equity investment thoughts; and we look at savings for the youth. In this exceptionally cold and yet happy time for the country we need to remember that in three weeks we will again return to the real world where financial

The global environment is changing faster and more drastically than we could ever have forecast and MoneyMarketing raises some very interesting thoughts to ponder. 

In today’s newsletter we feature an article from Adrian Saville. How have we dealt with the crisis – what is the real debt situation and where are the places for investors in the future are just some of the issues Saville addresses.   A Changed Global Fabric: Investing in the Post-Crisis Era   Dr Adrian Saville, CIO

Glacier Research highlights to investors that the extreme volatility in the Rand “can translate into sizeable profits or losses over the short term and in turn increase the risk in a portfolio.  Your asset manager should essentially be able to successfully tap into offshore investing opportunities for better diversification in your portfolio, but at the

Market Comment The JSE All Share Index gained another 2.4% last week and is trading at a new 2009 high today (Monday 19th October). The market is also back at early September 2008 levels, as well as February 2007 levels. Our market continues to follow the offshore markets, with both the MSCI Emerging Markets Index

Charles Snyman of the Efficient Group is well known and never stops to amaze me by his tremendous insight, wisdom and sensitivity to matters concerning the world around us.  Charles is a sharp observer, highly skillful and intelligent, acutely in tune with global realities – pitfalls and opportunities – never over hasty though, but also

In the previous “Did You Know” we gave you 10 reasons why a RA makes good sense tax wise. Come next year you can add a new reason to the list.  This article explains the present and the future position. Also remember by having exposure to shares in a RA wrapper you do not pay

Most people know that contributions to an RA are tax-deductible up to a certain maximum, but few people realise that an RA may actually provide them with an opportunity to save tax in 10 different ways. (The law also does not force you to retire from an RA fund before reaching age 70 anymore so

by John Cassidy It’s possible that this downturn could end quicker than anyone thinks.  It could be to our disadvantage at the moment to get trapped in a perpetual negative mindset whilst John Cassidy has a very good case for optimism. Read on

In today’s newsletter we take a look at some of the thoughts around cash. When is cash king and when is it not? With some rather gloomy days in the past week we have a few investment thoughts and comments on the not so pretty economic environment. The cash and the king In times of