Tag: BehaviouralFinance

Periods of heightened volatility can make even experienced investors second-guess well-considered decisions. However, the most damaging outcomes often result from a handful of predictable behavioural mistakes. These include panic selling, focusing too heavily on macroeconomic forecasts instead of valuations, chasing recent winners and assuming the future will mirror the past. Understanding these behaviours is essential when investing in volatile markets.

With geopolitical conflict, elections, oil prices and inflation risks dominating headlines, it is easy to believe everything is beyond your control. However, that is not the case. The most important drivers of long-term investment success are often the factors you can control. They start with understanding how you behave when markets feel uncomfortable.

The concept of delayed gratification – resisting an immediate reward or temptation to receive a bigger or better reward later – is not a new one. However, modern life makes discipline harder than ever. We now live in a world shaped by on-demand convenience, algorithm-driven marketing, relentless social pressure and easy access to short-term credit. In this environment, ignoring fleeting trends becomes difficult.

Most South Africans are not gambling more because times are good. Instead, they are gambling more because money is tight. South Africa’s gambling industry generated a record R75 billion in gross gambling revenue during 2024/25. At the same time, the betting segment alone grew sharply from R8.8 billion in 2019/20 to R23.7 billion by 2022/23.

From ceasefires to blockades, the world continues to feel increasingly unpredictable. Headlines remain dominated by conflict in the Middle East, rising geopolitical tension and markets reacting in real time. When the world feels uncertain, people naturally ask one question: Should I stay, or should I go?