Tag: investment portfolio

Investors should use mental models to find stillness in the midst of volatility. With gold reaching all-time highs and the JSE All-Share Index posting major gains, global markets remain full of activity. US fiscal concerns and ongoing geopolitical tensions add even more uncertainty. At present, there is rarely a dull moment for markets. However, this constant volatility generates mental noise.

There has been a sharp downturn in the price of bullion and gold equities. What has caused it, and where does it leave the outlook for gold from here? The fall in the gold price on October 21, a drop of 5.5%, was among the ten biggest single-day falls for the metal. Gold equities also suffered a big correction of approximately 9%.

Corporate actions can be described as the small print of owning equities. Many equity investors tend to dismiss them because they seem complex. However, these actions can materially impact a company’s share price. They also provide investors with a window into the company’s strategy and financial health.

Investing can feel like a daunting task, especially in unpredictable markets with an overwhelming number of options. Many South Africans want to grow their wealth but are equally mindful of protecting what they have already built. The challenge is finding investments that offer both security and opportunity.

Investment management is fundamentally about improving the odds of success in an environment defined by uncertainty. Market commentary often centres on returns. However, what truly matters to clients is whether their portfolios deliver the outcomes they need, when they need them and within tolerable levels of risk.

Forecasting economic and market variables is inherently difficult. Forecasting is tough. Research suggests that only 23% of professional forecasts prove accurate. Add in US policy uncertainty - President Trump signed a flurry of executive orders on his first day in office. As a result, predicting the outlook for the global economy becomes even more challenging than usual.

The economic reality in South Africa today leaves many middle-class households grappling with mounting expenses. They also face dwindling disposable income, which makes successful retirement savings increasingly difficult. In addition, there is a persistent inability to save for retirement.

The vidcast dives into the real cost of education. We dig into the costs associated with various stages of the educational journey and reflect on both public and private educational costs. We focus on the value of the education and whether or not the cost justifies the potential return.

Imagine you’re on a highway with guardrails providing a safety barrier that keeps you from going off course. These guardrails guide you safely to your destination. However, when you reach retirement, the guardrails come off, leaving you uncertain. Which direction should you take to ensure the rest of your journey is safe?

When discussing the value of the financial profession, financial advisers are often compared to medical doctors and are sometimes even called ‘financial doctors’. The reason behind this is that financial advisers look after the financial challenges of clients in much the same way that doctors look after the health issues of patients. This is not a perfect analogy, but there are certainly some comparisons to be drawn.