To date, 2024 has been another year of surprises in global financial markets, with global equities managing to outperform expectations across many markets. The MSCI World Index (developed markets) returned an impressive 11% over the six months to 12 June 2024 despite...
Investments
Navigating high-yield hard currency sovereign debt with an African edge
The high-yield sovereign debt category is often overlooked, given the risk premium attached to the asset class. However, investors seeking a balance between the safety of fixed income and the growth potential of equities would do well to consider high-yield hard...
Tackling water security
Water security is arguably one of the most critical risks to South Africa's social, economic and political long-term future. In particular, water stands as a critical business imperative, indispensable for a myriad of functions including employee-related health and...
How to turbo-boost your retirement savings In a depressed market
Imagine you could boost your retirement savings simply by taking advantage of the gift government gave investors in 2022 when it increased the annual offshore portfolio allowance from 30% to 45%? Iva Madjarova, Head of Institutional Business at Sygnia,...
Sticky inflation brings Fed rate cuts into question
The Federal Reserve is unlikely to cut rates as previously expected in June and it is now a close call whether it will cut at all in 2024. Heightened risks in the Middle East add a further element of uncertainty. Will the Federal Reserve cut rates this year?...
Listed infrastructure – a solid building block
South African investors have historically been underexposed to global listed infrastructure. However, changes to Regulation 28 of the Pension Funds Act could open the opportunity set for investors seeking to diversify into this unique asset class. The...
Navigating the perceived risks of emerging market infrastructure
Infrastructure investments have grown exponentially over recent years. Currently valued at around US$1 trillion, this amount is expected to grow to over US$1.9 trillion by 2027. The potential growth of this relatively new asset class brings with it...
What is the outlook for global and local asset classes?
The highest ever proportion of the world’s population will be experiencing some form of elections in their countries or regions during 2024, with almost half of the planet’s people heading to the polls this year. For global financial markets, this could imply...
Global tech and healthcare stocks to buoy equity returns in 2024, consider Shariah portfolios
Amid ongoing market turbulence and shifting global economic prospects, we are likely to see a promising trajectory for global equity portfolio returns in 2024. This will be buoyed particularly by shares in the global healthcare and technology sectors, which...
Now is not the time to turn your back on emerging market equities
The past 10 years have not been kind to emerging market investors. Over the 10 years to the end of March 2024, the asset class has returned less than 3% p.a., which contrasts starkly with the returns of broader equity indices such as the MSCI All Country...