Assets & Investments

Nobody likes a know-it-all. In Shirley Valentine, the British cult classic, a headmistress asks her class, “What is man’s greatest invention?” Answers fly - Sputnik, the Hoover, the aeroplane, the internal combustion engine. Shirley knows the answer but is ignored in favour of the usual teacher’s pets. Only when no raised hands remain does the headmistress relent: “Oh, very well, Shirley. You might as well get it wrong along with everybody else.”

Investors have a limited edge in predicting geopolitical outcomes. Our value-add lies in assessing the relative economic exposure of different countries. It also lies in judging what the market has priced into different sectors and determining how to allocate risk accordingly within a geopolitical risk investment strategy.

Read our exclusive cover story titled Elevated innovation – the brakes that accelerated wealth? by Jason Spilkin, Co-Portfolio Manager, Credo, plus a host of other topical management articles written by professionals, consultants and academics.

South African bond markets rewarded fixed-income investors with exceptional calendar-year returns in both 2024 and 2025. The All Bond Index (ALBI) returned 17% and 24%, respectively. These returns significantly exceed the norm. Therefore, we anticipated moderating performance in 2026.

For many South Africans living and working in the Gulf, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Riyadh, earning a living in the Region can be a transformative experience. Salaries arrive without Pay As You Earn (PAYE) deductions or Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) contributions. In most Gulf Cooperation Council countries, workers also pay no personal income tax.

As South Africans continue to navigate a difficult economic climate, many households face rising living costs, fuel price pressure, unreliable electricity supply and growing financial stress. As a result, many consumers may unknowingly sabotage their savings goals through small, seemingly harmless spending habits.

Housing market data has shown a broad rise in the house price/rent ratio over some years. This trend would point to relative affordability shifting in favour of the rental option over buying. However, there is far more to consider in the “rent vs buy” debate. We recently saw the release of StatsSA’s House Price Indices for December 2025. This release completed the house price performance picture for last year.

Most parents assume that leaving money to their children is enough to secure their future. However, how an inheritance is structured matters just as much as what is left behind. Without careful planning, children can become financially vulnerable. This vulnerability often stems from how assets are managed after a parent’s death, rather than from a lack of assets.

South Africa’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition published revised merger notification thresholds and filing fees under the Competition Act 89 of 1998 (Competition Act). These changes take effect on 1 May 2026. The updated thresholds raise turnover and asset values. These values determine whether a transaction qualifies as a small, intermediate or large merger. As a result, some deals previously requiring mandatory notification may now fall below the filing threshold.

Africa is entering a defining period for virtual asset regulation. As adoption accelerates, driven by fintech innovation, remittance demand and a digitally savvy youth population, governments across the continent are recalibrating their regulatory posture.