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Improving global economies no panacea for South Africa

05 November 2014 | General

Forecasting future economic conditions is fraught with difficulty, yet it is an exercise worth undertaking.

Three words for Brazil

05 November 2014 | General

We hope that Rousseff can now follow through and deliver positive changes, not just promises. As long-time investors in Brazil, the recent presidential election has been of keen interest to us. One can certainly say it’s been an interesting race! The market had been volatile based on the changing polls leading up to the election; there were hopes that new leadership would ignite a positive new direction for Brazil’s economy, which hasn’t experienced the type of economic boom many (including us) had hoped for—and believe is possible. After a particularly close race, incumbent Dilma Rousseff emerged victorious and Brazil’s stock market, at least initially, didn’t seem to like the result. This isn’t really a surprise, as many investors, frustrated with the direction of the economy and the business climate there, were clamouring for change. We hope that Rousseff can now follow through and deliver positive changes, not just promises.

Not quite the end of quantitative easing

05 November 2014 | General

As expected, the US Federal Reserve (the Fed) announced an end to its quantitative easing (QE) bond-buying programme. With short-term interest rates already at zero, the Fed first employed QE in the wake of the 2008 credit crisis to improve banks’ balance sheets, unfreeze credit markets, stabilise the US economy, improve confidence and reduce long-term interest rates to help the property market. QE was also aimed at supporting asset prices and the wealth effect on spending.

Silver lining around looming rates rise clouds

05 November 2014 | General

As consumers brace for a period of ongoing interest rate rises, an Old Mutual Investment Group portfolio manager has noted that although tough times lie ahead, it’s not all bad news and these interventions are necessary to keep inflation in check.

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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