How Rental Property Compares as an Asset Class Buy-to-let or rental property plays an important part in many investors’ portfolios, but it is inherently complicated to evaluate the returns and costs relative to other asset classes. In addition, while listed instruments are accessed through unit trusts and controlled by various intermediaries[1], rental [...]
Sentiment and Free Advice, You May as Well Role a Dice As humans we are conditioned to recognize adversity over opportunity. As the quote by John Burroughs goes: "There is hardly a man on earth who will take advice, unless he is certain that it is positively bad" When money is considered [...]
The Hardest Problem in Finance An integral part of the financial adviser's role is helping retired clients to draw a rising income from their investment portfolios. Most clients want to know that they will be able to live a dignified and independent retirement without sacrificing on the quality of life they grew [...]
What a Moody's Downgrade Could Mean for Us There is much sensationalism around South African debt being downgraded to junk status by Moody’s. In the likely scenario that this happens, what are the actual anticipated effects? Please see a quick summary in the following two slides. If you’d like more info on [...]
Cancer in SA None of us like to worry about cancer - so lets not! A practical way to do that, is to know that if we are diagnosed with it, we'll have the money we need to get the treatment that'll make us better. Please chat to us about how much [...]
The Benefits of Independent Financial Advice Many investors underplay the importance of financial advice to the detriment of the performance of their portfolios over time. A good financial adviser can drastically improve your financial outlook by guiding your financial planning and ensuring that you remain committed to your goals. Please see a [...]
Behind the Marketing Message As a result, it is often difficult to discern between what is a marketing message and the reality that sits behind it. The lack of detailed information and access makes it difficult for advisers and investors alike to dig deeper and this is the gap we are aiming [...]
Prescribed Assets Picture by @brandanrey from Business Day on Twitter Are Prescribed Assets on the Way? "We are facing a situation where our developmental needs are enormous, and in a number of other places pension funding is utilised for developmental purposes, for infrastructure, and quite often those pension funds make good returns [...]
Did someone say 'Upswing'? This is a good time to invest. Billions are flowing into 'cash' or equivalents, a clear sign of fear. Buffet is famous for investing when fear has driven investors away. He has done very well sticking to his game plan. Remaining invested is the same as investing. Don't [...]
Mind the Gap: How Naspers is Trying to Close its Valuation Discount Few people could have imagined that the largest company in South Africa, a country largely built on the extraction and processing of raw materials, would be a global internet and high-technology business making most of its money in China. Naspers [...]
