"The only constant is change." (Heraclitus) Stock markets everywhere have been on a bit of a rollercoaster in 2025. Uncertainty around interest rates, geopolitical instability, and the unpredictability of US trade policy have made for a bumpy ride. For any investor,...
What Divorce Means for Your Pension
“Marriage is the chief cause of divorce.” (Groucho Marx) Retirement savings typically account for a substantial portion of a person’s wealth. When a marriage ends, these savings can become a serious bone of contention. The good news is that, starting 1 September 2024,...
Mid-Year Market Check-in: From Tariffs to the Brink of War and Back
2025’s perfect storm began with President Trump exhibiting his trademark unpredictability, announcing sweeping tariffs that sent markets into a tailspin in April. When tariff fears peaked in April, the S&P 500 sold off as much as 17.8%, while the Nasdaq...
The US and You: Why What Happens in America Impacts Your Portfolio
“The markets are like weather; you may not like it, but you have to bear it.” (Rakesh Jhunjhunwala) South African investors don’t need to follow every twist in American politics or economics, but you can’t ignore them either. The world’s biggest economy casts a long...
Scam Alert: If it Seems too Good to be True, it Probably is
“Our ability to manufacture fraud now exceeds our ability to detect it.” (Al Pacino) If you’re anything like us, the chances are you’ve recently heard about someone in your circle who’s fallen prey to an internet scam. Enticed by glossy marketing, unbelievable...
What is a Power of Attorney and is it Forever?
“The number of cases of dementia is estimated to almost triple by 2050.” (World Health Organisation) Although the actual prevalence per capita of dementia is reportedly on the decline, aging populations ensure that it is becoming more and more of a problem in society...
Amid Trump Turmoil, Diversification is the New Safe Haven
“The only certainty is that nothing is certain.” (Pliny the Elder) For decades, US Treasuries (government bonds) and the US dollar have been the world's primary safe-haven assets. Investors have been able to rely on them to hold their value due to America's status as...
What is Risk?
Investors talk a lot about investment risk, but nobody seems to be able to define exactly what it is. While we don’t need to precisely calculate risk, understanding it is essential to sound investment decision making. So, how should we think about it? Risk means more...
How Fit Are You Financially?
“He who has health has hope; and he who has hope, has everything.” (Thomas Carlyle) Doing a financial health check can sound like a daunting idea. But it needn’t be. Just checking a few simple things can give you a good idea of whether you’re financially healthy and...
Should You Have a Second Will for Your Overseas Assets?
“Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.” (Pablo Picasso) If you own assets outside South Africa, you may have wondered: Is my local will enough? This is a question many South Africans are asking, and the answer will depend on your...