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Despite high valuations, global equities remain the asset class of choice

27 January 2014 | General

With South African equities trading at a hefty valuation of more than 18.5 times historical earnings, investors should continue to look offshore where prices are more attractive - and to improve diversification and take advantage of potential currency weakness.

Avoiding Analysis Paralysis in 2014

23 January 2014 | General

In the realm of behavioral finance, there’s a concept called “analysis paralysis” that many investors succumb to. A daily deluge of data (often contradictory), news and investment advice can cause investors to sit frozen on the sidelines or leave the game completely. This paralysis causes many to miss out on opportunities, and even jeopardize future long-term goals. Portfolio Manager Michael Hasenstab believes that “doing nothing” is a big risk for investors in 2014. He offers his perspective on why it’s more important than ever to be nimble and unconstrained when seeking out potential opportunities—and to not let market noise lead to inertia.

‘Trimmed down’ should equal robust mining returns into the next cycle

21 January 2014 | Asset Management

The resources sector fared relatively poorly in 2013.This has largely been driven by uncertainty in global economic growth and associated demand for commodities, China’s leadership changes and much-debated future sustainable growth rate, the US’s damaging political impasse that resulted in a government shut-down and potential debt default; as well its on-again/off-again quantitative easing (QE) programme, and Europe’s depressingly-stable economic malaise.