Market Update: The Good, Bad and Ugly of Trump’s Return
While initial enthusiasm surrounding Trump’s likely market-friendly economic policies drove the S&P 500 index above 6,000 points for the first time, investors are now carefully weighing the opportunities and risks ahead. South Africa’s JSE All Share Index fell...
6 Winning Strategies That Top Investors and Elite Endurance Athletes Share
“Excellence is my new habit.” (Dirk Stroda) Athletes know that excelling in endurance sports and building wealth both require more than pure skill. They also demand resilience, patience, and discipline. Here are six habits that top investors and elite athletes share....
Blue Skies Ahead for Property? Be Prepared with this Buyer’s Checklist
“Don’t wait to buy land, buy land and wait.” (Will Rogers) Summer’s a great time to look for property. With the year winding down and the holiday season upon us, many sellers who’ve been holding back are now putting their properties back onto the market, so expect to...
Market Update: Reasons for SA Investors to Be Hopeful?
Stock markets took a breather in the second half of October in anticipation of the US elections. The S&P 500 flattened out in the second half of October, leaving it less than 1% higher for the month, while the SA All Share Index gained 0.5%. Both markets have,...
When Investing, Focus on What You Can Control
“Some things are up to us and some things are not up to us.” (Epictetus) Investing can often feel hard. The keys to success may seem daunting. Is your fund manager making the right decisions? Is the market going up or down? Is the rand strong or weak? These things...
How Can You Protect Your Heirs’ Inheritances from Their Creditors?
“The only person who sticks closer to you in adversity than a friend is a creditor.” (Unknown) You’ve done everything you can to leave your loved ones financially secure after you die. You’ve left enough assets to set them up in their own lives, made a valid will...
With Gold at Record Highs, Should You be Investing?
“Gold is the universal language understood by all nations.” (George Herbert) Just a few weeks ago, the gold price climbed above $2,500 per ounce for the first time in history. This has once again got South Africans talking about the attractiveness (or otherwise) of...
How Rand-Cost Averaging Could Help You
“It is better to be roughly right than precisely wrong.” (John Maynard Keynes) John Maynard Keynes, one of the greatest economists and risk-taking investors around, strongly advised putting investing on ‘autopilot’, and then going out and enjoying your life! The...
Sibling Showdown: How One Missing Word in a Will Divided a Family
“From small mistakes come great catastrophes.” (Justin Cronin) We’ve all seen how even the smallest mistake can have huge consequences down the line. A recent High Court spat between siblings over a poorly-drafted will confirms once again that when it comes to...
Waiving the Bond Clause to Keep a Sale Alive: Risk Versus Reward
“This sale agreement is no more! It has ceased to be! This is an EX-sale!” (With apologies to Monty Python) A “bond clause” – standard in most property sale agreements – typically provides that the whole sale depends on the buyer obtaining a mortgage bond by a...
Market Update: Christmas in September if Rates Come Down as Expected
SA and US interest rate cuts on the cards in September If all goes well, SA and US borrowers can look forward to an at least 25-basis point (bp) reduction in interest rates, spelling the beginning of a declining interest rate cycle. There are hopes that one or both...
Three Pot System 101: What You Need to Know Before 1 September
“Change is not a gate we pass through; it is the definition of life.” (Millie Florence) The good Supporters of the change believe that introducing an accessible savings pot can provide salvation for those in financial crises, like the one caused by the Covid pandemic....