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A simple analogy for successful investing: the coil spring

13 September 2017 | General

The key to successful long-term investing is to think rationally rather than emotionally. When valuations are stretched – buoyed either by optimism or, as in recent years, the search for yield and the willingness to attain it at a price – it’s important to be cautious. When valuations are depressed – driven down by pessimism or fear – that’s the time to show interest.

How to get the best out of smart beta (factor-based) investing

13 September 2017 | General

The challenge today is no longer about how to blend active and passive, but how to blend the underlying risk factors (or styles such as value, quality, dividend yield and momentum) to build more diversified, risk-smart portfolios. Factors are considered to be the fundamental building blocks of investment returns. Understanding the different risk factors in your portfolio will lead to better insights and more informed portfolio construction decisions, says Jason Swartz head of portfolio solutions at Satrix. As a result, what is now termed ‘factor investing’ is beginning to revolutionise the investment industry.

Out of recession

12 September 2017 | Economy

South Africa exited a short-lived technical recession after posting positive growth in the second quarter. Gross domestic product (GDP), a broad measure of economic activity, rebounded by 2.5% in real terms in the second quarter, after declining in the two prior consecutive quarters. This was better than the market expected.

The right investment blend

11 September 2017 | General

No one takes losses lightly; even an investor who has signed off on an aggressive investment mandate. In fact, no matter how small the specific investment item is in relation to a total portfolio, any significant decrease in value is met with horror. At the same time, excellent returns are never greeted with as much enthusiasm as one would expect. It seems that to many investors, all losses are too big, while all gains are too small.

quick poll

Question

Do you think short-term insurance broking will survive the AI plus humanoid robotics age?

Answer

Human first always Not a chance Possibly maybe Yes, but reimagined

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