Tag: asset allocation

Equity markets have been under considerable selling pressure in 2022, as investors anticipate that stubbornly high inflation will cause central banks to raise short-term interest rates multiple times this year. At the same time, expectations for global economic growth have been revised downwards, following further disruptions to global supply chains on the back of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s strict COVID-19 lockdown measures.

The prolonged Russia-Ukraine war is ushering in a new era of volatility and possible recession for South Africa and the world. When Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana delivered his maiden budget speech in February 2022, little did he know that Russia would invade Ukraine the very next day, immediately changing both the world and South Africa’s economic outlook for 2022 and beyond.

‘When one door closes, another one opens,’ as the saying goes, and this is particularly true when it comes to investments. Economic recovery is on the horizon, and while it is expected and somewhat priced in by present market activity, investors are more interested in looking at what lies ahead. And here there may be some opportunities.

In the world of low interest rates, Inflation Linked Bonds (ILB) offer a compelling proposition for money market funds. The millions of articles written about the impact of COVID-19 can’t begin to do justice to the damage wrought to individuals, society, and the economy.

South Africa has one of the lowest household savings rates in the world. To encourage the culture of savings, the government introduced tax-free investment and tax-free savings accounts in 2015 to incentivise good savings habits.

The 2020 Global Wealth Migration Review cited that an estimated 4,000 of South Africa’s highest nett worth individuals – worth R17 million or more – have left the country over the past ten years. Wealth migration data such as this report is said to serve as a clear indicator of the health of the economy. 

The macro environment has been deteriorating over the past few years and this has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis. As a result, the credit market has been characterised by deteriorating credit quality and credit spreads. The key credit cycle indicators that we look at confirms this market phenomena.

I recently saw multi-asset funds described as a 'balanced investment ready-meal'. I thought it such an apt description. A balanced meal has a variety of food groups represented, each providing different nutritional benefits. You’ll have some protein, some carbohydrates, some healthy fats and some vegetables.

Systematic investing is a scientific, evidence-based approach that takes the emotion out of investing and allows for better investment outcomes as decisions are based on rules. This mathematical approach offers more science and less art; has a higher success rate; is more predictable and generates higher returns for investors, with lower fees.

An interview with Stephen Katzenellenbogen, Senior Executive, Private Wealth Manager, NFB Private Wealth Management, and Dr Ivor Blumenthal, CEO, ArkKonsult, discussing an article penned by Andrew Duvenage, Managing Director, NFB Private Wealth Management, apropos the ANC’s Economic Transformation Committee proposal outlining changes to Regulation 28 of the Pension Funds Act.