Razeen Dinath, senior analyst at Momentum Asset Management, looks at whether value investing is a good investment strategy at the moment, given market conditions. Value investing has not worked well over the last five years. This is a long period...
Understanding sources of investment return using heat maps
Guest AuthorJul 30, 2014
Andrew Newell, Head of Business Development at Cannon Asset Managers, explains the importance of understanding the source of investment returns and gives pointers on where to look in the future. Most investors want not only high equity returns, but...
The greatest possible pitfalls in investment planning
Guest AuthorJul 3, 2014
Patrick Barker, Private Client Portfolio Manager at Cannon Asset Managers, identifies what he believes may be the biggest hindering factors in investment planning. Investors need to think in terms of taking responsibility for their investments,...
Why the JSE is ignoring the potential recession
Maya Fisher-FrenchJun 13, 2014
I had a very interesting conversation with Paul Hansen, director of retail investing at Stanlib, about the apparent disconnect between the JSE and the economy. While we are being warned by economists about a possible economic recession, the JSE All...
Can the market darlings meet the growth priced into them?
Guest AuthorJun 12, 2014
Victor von Reiche, Senior Investment Analyst at Cannon Asset Managers, looks at the chances of the JSE high fliers actually delivering on expectations. Cannon Asset Managers has long contended that, while the local equity market is on the expensive...
Is it time to sell and go away?
Guest AuthorMay 23, 2014
by Dave Mohr, Chief Investment Strategist for Old Mutual Wealth Over the next few weeks, investors are likely to hear the old saying “sell in May and go away,” particularly since global markets have rallied so strongly over the past year (more so...
Don’t focus on macroeconomic indicators
Guest AuthorMay 16, 2014
Macroeconomic indicators have far less impact on investment returns than many investors think. If you focus on the future direction of economic variables, you risk losing sight of the most important predictor of investment returns: the price you...
Be wary of investment seminars
Maya Fisher-FrenchMay 14, 2014
Sebobe was invited by consultants working for the London School of Investment to attend a presentation about investing in the JSE. They are selling their software for between R14 900 and R19 500 and claim that after their training presentation he...
Managing client expectations under different inflation scenarios
Guest AuthorMay 12, 2014
David Leslie, MD of Belmont Asset Management in Cape Town, explains that investors should take the inflationary environment into account when they evaluate the growth rates of their portfolios. It is sometimes a good idea to reiterate certain core...
Don’t chase market performance
Guest AuthorMay 5, 2014
Steven Nathan, CEO of 10X Investments, warns investors not to be influenced by short-term market performance. Every year, legendary investor Warren Buffett's annual letter to shareholders offers valuable investment advice. In his most recent...

Previous Articles
Facebook taking a shotgun approach to capital allocation
Apr 30, 2014
With technology companies much in the news recently, RECM’s Paul Whitburn says valuing companies such as Facebook involves more questions than the asset manager is comfortable with. While Facebook’s share price continues to run, RECM prefers to invest in companies...
Emerging markets: it’s our turn
Apr 11, 2014
Jeremy Gardiner, director at Investec Asset Management argues that most of the economic pain we are feeling in South Africa at the moment is being felt more or less similarly across all emerging markets. My brother has just returned to South Africa after living in...
Is investment style relevant in South Africa?
Apr 4, 2014
Geoff Blount, CEO of Cannon Asset Managers, examines whether investment style is relevant in South Africa, how it has played out in recent years and what the implications are for investors. An increasing and common refrain we hear from consultants and wealth managers...
What should you look for when selecting an asset manager?
Mar 28, 2014
Patrick Barker, Private Client Portfolio Manager at Cannon Asset Managers, looks at key factors to consider when selecting an investment manager. Dealing with other people’s money carries a fiduciary duty and responsibility. When making decisions regarding fund...
The cost advantages of index tracking funds
Mar 26, 2014
by Mike Brown, Managing Director, etfSA.co.za Warren Buffett, the world’s most famous investor, made the following observation in his letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders in February this year. In his instruction to the Trustee of the Warren Buffett estate, he...
Four quick investment lessons
Mar 24, 2014
Given the recent market events, such as the weakening rand, it is becoming even more vital for investors to understand that their investment portfolios are not only influenced by market movements, but also by their own actions. This is according to Dave Mohr, Chief...
Bad start for equities in 2014: is it time to panic?
Mar 19, 2014
By Alwyn van der Merwe, Director of investments, Sanlam Private Investments With global equities down by 3.7% in January and local equities losing 2.4% of their value, it almost feels like an own goal or an intercept try was scored in the opening moments of the match....
Watching TV news is bad for you
Mar 13, 2014
Lara Warburton of Imara Asset Management warns of the dangers for investors of paying too much attention to the news. Do you want to avoid making bad investment decisions? If you do, a good start is to avoid too much bad news on TV; especially now that the...
Investment opportunities in turbulent times
Feb 24, 2014
South African investors need to be aware of the difference between risky businesses and risky investments, as often the confusion between these can result in missing out on opportunities within the current market environment. This is according to Piet Viljoen,...
Where should your investment money go?
Feb 17, 2014
In the face of volatile global equity markets and structural economic challenges, there is much debate around what investors can expect going forward. At times like these, it is worth remembering that investment has always been about taking risk in the face of...










