Hindsight is 20/20 when it comes to offshore investing

The local stock market has delivered disappointing returns over the past five years, barely beating inflation. It has been a painful period for equity investors, not only relative to the great returns we have seen in the past, but also relative to the returns local investors could have generated by investing offshore. However, as Hannes van Zyl, principal investment consultant at Alexander Forbes says, “hindsight is always 20/20”.

According to Van Zyl, the ultimate return when investing in assets denominated in a foreign currency depends on two sources:

1. The return on the offshore account
2. The return on the currency

For example, if a South African invests in an S&P 500 index tracking portfolio, the ultimate rand (ZAR) return over any period would be determined by the US dollar (USD) return on the index, plus the change in the value of the ZAR to USD currency exchange rate.

The graph compares the South African stock market, relative to an offshore equivalent, over the five years ending 31 March 2019. An initial investment of R100 000, at 1 April 2014, in the FTSE/JSE All Share Index would have resulted in a relatively poor investment return, when compared to the rand return of investing in the S&P500 (in ZAR) over the same period. Based on this five-year past performance of the South African equity market, and coupling it with the current political uncertainty and low economic growth expectations, it is unsurprising to see how easily investors could conclude they will never see double-digit returns in the local equity market again.

Graph: Local markets compared with offshore markets over five years ending 31 March 2019, with an initial investment of R100 000

Source: Alexander Forbes Investments and Bloomberg
Costs and charges have not been considered. Income is reinvested. The graph above is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as advice.

“Despite the many warnings about the dangers of investing our money based on past performance, this information still drives most investment decisions, as it enables us to rationalise the decisions we make, to invest in the midst of an uncertain future,” explains Van Zyl.

“Unfortunately, uncertainty is a part of investing, and it is safe to say that local investors are not faced with uncertainty for the first time.”

Having a portion of one’s long-term investments (retirement or discretionary) allocated to offshore assets makes a strong investment rationale. “Not only does the ability to invest offshore increase local investors’ investment opportunity set, but it also provides great diversification benefits. However, blindly allocating all your capital to offshore investments only also holds risks.”

Van Zyl offers some key considerations when deciding on the optimal percentage of investor assets to be invested offshore are:

1. The currency in which investors’ liabilities are based

When future liabilities (cash flows) are based in one currency and investments are held in another, currency risk needs to be considered. Any positive returns in a foreign currency investment can either be dampened or enhanced by an appreciating or depreciating local currency.

2. Decisions driven by emotions

The journey to steadily growing wealth can often be marred by emotions that drive irrational actions with undesirable outcomes. Investment decisions informing portfolio construction should consider financial goals (such as retirement spending needs) and be based on rational and attainable outcomes.

An investment strategy that is tied to needs and expectations rather than emotions can help investors navigate the peaks and troughs of the market with confidence. A financial adviser or consultant can highlight the importance of commitment to an investment strategy over the long term, ensuring you stay on track and reach the finish line with no unexpected surprises.

3. Regulation 28

Regulation 28 seeks to protect long-term investors from implementing drastic investment decisions and reinforcing sound investment plans, diversified across multiple asset classes, locally and globally. Prudent investment guidelines will protect us from our own basic instincts.