Tag: asset allocation

Earlier this year, the ANC’s Economic Transformation Committee published a proposal outlining changes to Regulation 28 of the Pension Funds Act. Regulation 28, which controls the extent to which retirement funds may invest in particular asset classes.

Welcome to the ‘new normal’, they say. You see, something’s always considered the ‘new normal’ until yet another ‘new normal’ comes along. Granted, at times, the ‘new normal’ does actually stick. However, most of the time, it’s just noise and like the doppler effect, it will soon fade away.

The rise of new technologies and fin-tech has made investing simpler, more transparent and cheaper than ever before, leading many to adopt a DIY-approach to their finances. So, in a world where investing is as easy as ordering take-out, what are the dangers of self-managing your investments, and why should you consider seeking professional financial advice?

When it comes to successful investing, there is no goose that lays the golden egg. So, while passive versus active investing is often presented as a simple either/or, in reality there should never be a binary choice between active or passive investment vehicles as the sole solution to your investment needs.

In fact, this aversion to the loss of money is so significant it has become the subject of a substantial number of studies. The 'pain' that is felt when people lose money is stronger than the 'joy' of a gain. And it is even more pronounced when a person has worked hard to build their capital base, often through diligent behaviour and determination, over many years – possibly even a lifetime.