The benefits of balance are all around us. In nature, a whole ecosystem suffers when one species gains dominance. In sports, it’s rarely the player with a single killer shot that wins consistently in the long run. Champions tend to have multiple skills. Adding patience to balance makes for a powerful combination in many spheres of life.
Continue readingThe dangers of timing the market
Imagine you received an unexpected lump sum of money. Maybe a bonus at work or a special dividend. It’s a problem we’d all like to have. But not an easy one. If we decide to invest it rather than splurge, we’ve already won half the battle. Nonetheless, we’ll face all sorts of temptations that can draw us into investing it suboptimally. That can be costly.
Continue readingEasy as ETF: The simple way to financially emigrate
“Stick to your knitting”, goes the old saying. Like many nuggets of wisdom that have stood the test of time, this captures a simple but powerful truth. There are benefits to focusing on the things you’re good at.
Continue readingFund Focus: Emerging Asia
You know your strategy is doing something right when economists give you a celebratory nickname. For example, if you’re among the “Asian Tigers”, you have been a part of one of the most impressive industrialisations in history. Similarly, earning the nickname “the world’s factory” rightly suggests dominance as a manufacturer and exporter.
Continue readingFund Focus: A beginner’s guide to investing in Gold
Throughout history, gold has been a fascinating asset. Bring it up at a braai, and you’re sure to spark a heated debate. The “gold bugs” will hail it as a safe haven, and there is sure to be at least one critic who reminds you that it pays no dividends. You’re also likely to hear that gold has historically been difficult and expensive to hold – even dangerous!
Continue readingThe “S” in ESG: An unsung hero for South Africa
Environmental, social and governance, or ESG, is now a global force behind business and investing, catalysing businesses to revise their roles and responsibilities in society and to contribute to making the world a better place.
Continue readingUnleashing index investing – and human potential – through tech
When the mechanical loom emerged in the early 1800s, panic spread through the textile industry. What would happen to employment if one machine could do the job of hundreds of skilled weavers?
Continue readingFund Focus: Big nation bonds for a topsy-turvy world
Following the news can feel like a full-contact sport these days. As we speak, there are multiple international conflicts taking place, and several tense geopolitical scenarios hold the risk of turning violent.
Continue readingRebalanced quarterly: A practical explanation
We often talk about exchange traded funds (ETFs) as being hugely versatile investment tools – very good for diversifying your investing in all sorts of different asset classes. They are. But they are also extremely well suited to gaining investment exposure to particular assets that are traditionally difficult to get access to. Platinum is one of those assets.
Continue readingWhy using ETFs is perfect for investing in platinum
We often talk about exchange traded funds (ETFs) as being hugely versatile investment tools – very good for diversifying your investing in all sorts of different asset classes. They are. But they are also extremely well suited to gaining investment exposure to particular assets that are traditionally difficult to get access to. Platinum is one of those assets.
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