Archives of Wealth Management

The rand continued to strengthen in December as South Africa (SA) benefitted from the risk-on environment and emerging market (EM) appetite by global investors. SA property was once again the strongest performing asset class with a 13.7% return for the month (+17.5% in November). The strengthening local currency depressed rand returns for global asset classes, […]

It was an excellent month for South African (SA) asset classes with SA property experiencing some welcome respite, earning 17.5%. The rand continued to strengthen, which depressed rand returns for global asset classes, but global risk assets still had a very good month. Global Bonds were the only negative returning building block for the month. […]

Looking back on 2020’s impact on local and international markets and what we can expect in 2021 – Tomas Blendulf CAIASM – Head of Cape Town Operations As we approach the end of this crazy year, let us look at its impact on investment markets. Equity Markets As 2019 ended, December and January brought a […]

  News headlines covered a delayed US election result which has tilted in favour of risk asset prices in the short term. The most likely outcome is that the Democrats retain control of the House with Republicans retaining the Senate. This is likely to mean that Biden’s proposed tax hikes won’t pass the Senate, but […]

Managing a living annuity in these uncertain, unprecedented times Managing a living annuity can be complicated at the best of times. Throw in a devastating global pandemic causing a global market crash, and things become even more tricky. Fortunately, Cornerstone Investment Advisory Services has the best investment minds in the industry to help you and […]

  Returns across all rand denominated asset classes, bar SA Cash & Stable Income, were negative in September. Global risk assets (Equity & Property) fared the worst losing -4.7% and -4.4% respectively. The rand strengthened against the US dollar from R16.94 to R16.73 by the end of the month, but this hides the true picture […]

August was another good month for most world equity indices, with the MSCI World Equity Index up over 6% in Rand terms. The local FTSE/ JSE All Share was down 0.3% over the same period. Local bonds as measured by the ALBI were up 0.89%, while cash delivered 0.39% (STeFI). Listed property continued to struggle, […]

July was another positive month for South African Investors from a return perspective. SA equity continued to recover from its Q1 losses, returning between 2.4% and 3.0% (depending on the index used). However, this was solely driven by resource companies which returned 9%, Financials were essentially flat 0.4%, whilst Industrials lost -1.3%. Globally, markets also […]

Globally, the markets continue to price in a V-shaped global economic recovery. COVID-19 infection trends continue to improve, except for Russia, SA, Mexico and Brazil. Manufacturing numbers across most regions rebounded from April, apart from Japan, Taiwan and Korea. Non-manufacturing and services PMI data were also largely better in May. The unexpected rebound in the […]

What is the difference between wealth management, legacy planning, estate planning and financial planning? – Paul Damant, CFP (Director, Cornerstone Investment Advisory Services and Managing Director, Cornerstone Financial Services Group of Companies) You’ve probably asked yourself this question many times. You also might have asked: “How do I know which one I need and when do […]