South African investors have necessarily limited their exposure to global fixed interest bonds over the past several years for two primary reasons: unattractively low yields and the 25% offshore asset restriction for retirement portfolios under Regulation...
The quote “What gets measured gets managed” is attributed to the celebrated American management consultant Peter Drucker. By quantifying tasks or goals individuals can better understand their performance, set clear objectives and track progress. In this...
When most South African retirement fund trustees think of a custodian bank, a set of standard criteria comes to mind. Custodian banks hold and safeguard financial assets, protecting them from loss. Custodians facilitate the settlement and clearing of trades,...
The 2023 National Blue Drop Report, put together by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), found that 46% of our water systems have an unacceptable microbiological water quality status, meaning that the water in these systems poses a serious acute...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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?...
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...
