Tag: market conditions

The private equity (PE) fundraising landscape, historically dynamic and competitive, has become increasingly challenging in recent years. As a number of funds compete for limited investor capital, a consistent question we get as fund formation lawyers is: "How have successful asset manager clients secured capital in this crowded market?"

Private markets are less liquid than public markets. Locking up funds for a significant period is unfamiliar to many private investors. Regulators worldwide are concerned about risks associated with private assets during market stress. A key regulatory focus is on liquidity mismatches in open-ended funds investing in illiquid assets. These mismatches occur when funds allow excessive flexibility on redemptions.

We live in a volatile world where geopolitical risks, economic inflation, natural disasters and an increasingly complex regulatory environment are applying pressures on all fronts, including the insurance sector. Underwriting requirements are becoming stringent, and prospective clients are having to provide far more granular information about their portfolio of risks as well as risk mitigation measures, while reduced capacity and insurer appetite for certain classes of risks remains a real concern.

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) recently announced the completion of the observation period for the South African Rand Overnight Index Average (ZARONIA). This development marks a pivotal shift in South Africa’s financial landscape, transitioning from the Johannesburg Interbank Average Rate (JIBAR) to ZARONIA as the primary reference rate.

Starting a new business is an exhilarating venture, filled with both opportunities and challenges. However, the path to success requires more than just a great idea - it demands a strategic approach, careful planning, and the ability to adapt to evolving market conditions. 

Whether you’re stepping into the property market for the first time or you're an experienced investor, the real estate market can feel overwhelming with ever-changing trends and a maze of industry jargon. To help you make informed decisions, it's essential to understand these key terms. I break down some of the most important property terminology, helping you navigate your real estate journey with confidence.

Traders and investors must overcome many hurdles in order to succeed. Among the most common of these hurdles are emotional pitfalls such as fear and greed, and behavioural shortcomings such as impulsivity. Neuroeconomics – a relatively new discipline – may hold the key to understanding the neural processes that govern the way traders make decisions, and assist them in making the right ones.

The volatility of the South African Rand (ZAR) against the US Dollar (USD) and other major currencies is a trend that is keeping many South Africans up at night. How well the USD performs and how it impacts the value of the ZAR, is greatly impacted by factors such as the US employment figures, inflation rates and gross domestic product (GDP) data, pronouncements by the US Federal Reserve (Fed), and locally, South Africa’s trade balance, GDP, inflation levels, unemployment figures, and guidance from the South African Reserve Bank about monetary policy.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), encompassing heart disease and stroke, has been a major cause of death globally for a long time. It has affected individuals and their families and had far-reaching consequences for industries that provide financial security, such as life insurance.

Determining the right amount of funding a business needs is a common challenge for many small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This is due to several reasons or practical challenges. To begin with, no business is the same. Funding requirements and the use of credit will vary based on business life stage (start, run or grow), operating cycles, growth plans, industry, and market conditions