Personal investing
Articles in "Personal investing"
Grow your wealth by attending the Allan Gray Investment Summit
After successfully bringing together renowned investment experts from all over the globe for two consecutive years to sold-out audiences, the Allan Gray...
Investors need to block out 'noise' ahead of elections
It is understandable for investors to feel jittery in the run-up to the national elections, but giving too much air time to market noise is never a good idea...
Have you chosen the right unit trust?
It’s a good idea to review your investments about once a year to make sure that things are on track. But what if they aren’t? How can you tell if “this, too,...
Diminished mental capacity: What happens to a person's investments?
Investors are generally unaware of the consequences of impaired mental capacity, resulting from neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, when it...
How you can influence your investment outcomes
After an undeniably tough 2018, the local market staged a turnaround during the first quarter. But the atmosphere in the country is blowing hot and cold: As...
2019 Budget speech update
Finance Minister Tito Mboweni delivered his maiden budget speech on Wednesday 20 February. In this document we highlight some of the 2019 Budget tax proposal...
Budget 2019: Focus shifts to restoring credibility
Finance Minister Tito Mboweni’s maiden Budget Speech didn’t deliver any major punches such as 2018’s surprise 1% VAT hike, but instead sought to acknowledge...
Is there any tax benefit in saving over the annual tax deductible amount towards retirement?
One of the key benefits of investing for retirement using a retirement fund is the generous tax deduction for contributions, subject to a maximum of 27.5% of...
The trouble with switching
During periods of underperformance, even the most experienced investors get tempted to switch funds in search of better returns. However, switching funds in...
Give your finances a fresh start
The first few weeks of a new year can feel like a clean slate: Past imperfections are relegated to history and you can redefine what you want to achieve in t...
LISTEN : The rules for making good investment decisions
People are prone to making predictions about everything from the weather to the economy. However, relying on predictions when investing can thwart your...
Part 4: The role of financial advice in your investment success
You wouldn’t gamble with your health by not seeing a professional, why do it with your financial future? Consult an independent financial adviser to help you...
Part 3: How to take full advantage of the tax benefits of your products
It’s a good idea to check in on your investments annually – many investors do this every February, just before the end of the tax year, to make sure they hav...
Part 2: How can I earn higher investment returns and pay less tax?
It’s important to understand how taxes are applied in different investment products and how this ultimately impacts your investment returns...
Part 1: How to be more tax savvy
If, like most of us, you would like to see more return in your account and less in the hands of the tax man, it is important to engage with the details to...
How to approach your finances this festive season
In the hive of festive activity, it’s easy to forget your financial goals and spend more than you planned. Next thing you know, it’s the New Year and the lon...
Give yourself the gift of balance this festive season
The festive season is upon us and as much as we all relish letting go, balancing spending and other indulgences with a bit of discipline can go some way to...
Make sure divorce doesn't cost your savings
Going through a divorce can be extremely tough emotionally, but it can take a huge toll on your finances as well.
Why retirement contributions don’t reduce your taxable capital gains
You may be aware that every tax year you can make a pre-tax contribution to your retirement fund of up to 27.5% of the higher of taxable income or...
What does the price of a unit trust mean?
When you buy a product or a service, the price you pay for that item tells you something about it. An apple that costs R50 (suspiciously expensive) or an App...
Get advice to be more money savvy
Reports* show that as a millennial investor you have a savvy attitude towards cash and you want to be in-the-know about how to grow your money. The value of...
WATCH : How to select your asset manager
Past performance is often the first, and sometimes only, consideration investors make when selecting an investment manager. However, performance is just one ...
Prioritise your dependants and loved ones during National Wills Week
It’s National Wills week from the 17-21 September 2018 – consider taking advantage of the offer from a participating attorney to get your Last Will and...
WATCH : How to select a unit trust that’s right for you
There are over 1 500 unit trusts available in South Africa – what criteria should you apply to select one (or more) that best suits your needs and...
Don't get caught short this tax season
With the tax season deadlines brought forward by a month this year, it’s time to get your supporting documents ready and to do your return. Uncertainty actin...
How to thrive in choppy markets
This year has been characterised by increased volatility and concern about the global risks – from trade disputes to inflation. After a strong start to the...
WATCH : Ride out volatility and maximise returns
Market fluctuations are an expected and necessary part of investing. While market volatility often presents good opportunities for value investors like Allan...
Employer-assisted savings can help fix SA's dire savings rate
July is National Savings Month in South Africa. Is there more you can be doing as an employer to help your employees save towards their future financial...
Go on, take a financial wellness day off
July is National Savings Month, an ideal time to take a ‘personal financial wellness day’ off – a growing corporate trend in the US.
Bump up your savings with a tax-free investment
Have you taken the plunge and started your own business, but sacrificed some (if not all) of your savings to do it? Mthobisi Mthimkhulu suggests using a...
True rewards take time
Allan Gray’s advertising strategy has always been built around the characteristics of the firm and continues to tap into human truths that connect with our...
How to become the next Sylvia Bloom
A recent New York Times article took many investors by surprise: A frugal legal secretary, who worked at the same firm for 67 years until she retired at the...
Investment Summit brings together 10 of world’s top investment experts
The Allan Gray Investment Summit will bring together over 3000 investors who will gather to listen to investment experts from around the world. From where t...
How are companies governed?
When you invest in equities – either directly or through a unit trust – you become the part-owner of the business. Nadia van der Merwe explains the role of a...
Thinking about your view of risk
Our primary concern as an investment manager is creating wealth for clients. To do this, we need to balance investment performance for clients with the risk...
Let SARS help you pay for retirement
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) wants to help you pay for your retirement. The way in which they do this is by offering generous tax deductions when...
Don't let good news headlines thwart your savings plans
Positive sentiment in the country is being fuelled by a change in political leadership, the stronger rand, a higher-than-expected GDP growth rate and a more...
Cashing in on your tax refund
Between April 2017 and February 2018, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) paid out more than R205 billion to taxpayers. If you are lucky enough to have...
How to pave the way for better decisions
The decisions we make are a function of the environment that we are in, according to behavioural economists. Put in a different environment, or faced with a...
VAT increase unavoidable
The Budget Speech delivered by Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba was a careful step in the right direction in an environment where hard decisions are...
2018 Budget speech update
The Minister of Finance announced amendments to tax and other legislation that may affect investors. These changes come into effect on 1 March 2018...
How to maximise tax benefits before the end of the tax year
The end of February is the end of the tax year. Carla Rossouw explains why this is a good time to take maximum advantage of the incentives the government has...
The simple answers to investing
Is the very thought of planning a barrier for you when it comes to investing? Or are you guilty of overanalysing and underacting? Wanita Isaacs investigates...
How to make better investment decisions in 2018
Investment experts, economists and industries are more prone to making predictions during the New Year, given the renewed sense of focus and excited...
How to prevent a financial hangover this festive season
If the festive season sends you into a panic and sees you mentally tallying up added expenses, such as gifts, getaways and groceries, you may need a financia...
How to tame temptations
A survey conducted by the University of Pennsylvania a few years ago asked respondents to rank their strengths in 24 different skills. Self-control ended up ...
PART 8: The role of financial advice in your investment success
You wouldn’t gamble with your health by not seeing a professional, why do it with your financial future? Consult an independent financial adviser to help you...
Bad predictions and good decisions
“Most of us view the world as more benign than it really is, our own attributes as more favourable than they truly are, and the goals we adopt as more...
The four fundamental skills of all investing
We are excited to introduce guest contributor Morgan Housel, a partner at the Collaborative Fund (US), and an expert in behavioural finance and investing...
PART 7: How to make money from investing - your role
Take control of your emotions! Your behaviour is the wildcard when it comes to making money from investing...
PART 6: Where can I invest my money?
There are so many investment managers to choose from, how do I figure out where I can invest my money...
PART 5: What should I invest in?
Tax and law are wrapped around every investment product. Knowing the rules can help you choose the right product for your needs...
PART 4: How do I start investing?
The first step is often the most difficult to make, but it does not have to be so with investing. Follow these tips to start off on the right foot...
Tax season: Your top tax investment questions answered
Confused about how to report on your investments to SARS? With the 2017 tax season in full swing, now is the time to get your documents ready.
PART 3: When should I start investing?
Time is of the essence when it comes to investing. Start now and benefit from the magic of compounding...
Should you see a financial adviser?
With World Financial Planning Day happening on 4 October, there is no better time to get your financial house in order. If you have never sought the help of ...
PART 2: How do I overcome the barriers to investing?
Not sure how to save money? Follow these five easy steps...
PART 1: Why you should invest
There are many reasons to invest. Start now: small sacrifices today can make a big difference over the long term...
Five things to consider when drafting your Will
It is said that the only certain things in life are death and taxes. Why is it then that so many of us fail to plan for when these inevitable things meet? In...
Investment success: Don’t be your own worst enemy
The biggest risk which investors face is themselves, because the mistakes they commonly make are based on their own behaviour and personal biases, warns Morg...
WATCH : Pay attention to the right cues to improve your investment success
To be a successful investor it is critical to separate your goals from others who are playing a different game...
Take charge of your finance this Women's month
A man is not a financial plan and women today are becoming more aware of the fact that they must take ownership of their finances. August is Women’s month, s...
Investment Summit to give an inside view from fund management houses
Allan Gray is bringing a group of international and local investment houses together to debate investment insights in a new one-day event, aimed at helping...
How to protect and grow your Stokvel
Saving is often the last thing on our minds when we have extra money and can seem daunting. But have you considered investing as part of a group?...
WATCH : How much risk can you take?
Risks are elevated in the current environment. This means you should think about how much risk you are prepared to take on...
How to cope with ongoing uncertainty
Over the past year there have been plenty of painful reminders that we have no control over what happens in the world. And there doesn’t seem to be any clari...
Are you on track to achieve your 2017 financial goals?
With 2017 in full swing, make sure you stick to your new year’s resolutions when it comes to your personal finances with the below five-point checklist...
Junk status: Diversification is key to protect against market shocks
The best thing you can do during periods of heightened uncertainty is to stick to your investment plan...
When is a debit order the better option?
When you think about starting a new investment there are two ways to approach it: either you invest in one go with a lump sum or you do recurring investments...
How to combat the budget pinch
Some weeks have passed since former Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan’s Budget speech, but we are only just beginning to feel the pinch. Carla Rossouw discusse...
Read beyond the Budget headlines: Bracket creep hits low to middle income earners
The 2017 Budget had some surprises, especially for the wealthy, with steep increases in income tax and dividend withholding tax. But the silent tax increase ...
LISTEN : How does the Budget impact me?
The 2017 Budget had some surprises, especially for the wealthy, with steep increases in income tax and dividend withholding tax. But we need to look beyond t...
2017 Budget speech update
The Minister of Finance announced amendments to tax and other legislation that may affect investors. These changes are discussed in detail below and, unless...
How to recognise a Ponzi scheme
How can you tell the difference between a great potential investment and a great sales pitch? Bold promises of lofty returns are made to unsuspecting victims...
How to maximise tax benefits before the end of the tax year
Every year at around this time – ahead of the end of the tax year in February – we remind investors to think about taking advantage of some of the incentives...
How to read a factsheet
The number of options when choosing a unit trust can be overwhelming and is one of the most common barriers to investing. Unit trusts are registered in...
LISTEN : The role you play in your investment success
How can you make sure you get the best value out of your investment? Listen to this 12-minute interview on PowerFM Business with Andile Khumalo, where Thandi...
The role of financial advice in your investment success
You wouldn’t gamble with your health by not seeing a professional, why do it with your financial future? Consult an independent financial adviser to help you...
Primed for the windfall
Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom. - Viktor...
Five reasons to invest part of your bonus
It has been a difficult year financially worldwide, with political and economic uncertainty dominating global news headlines. In this context, not every...
What is a money market fund?
Money market unit trusts, commonly referred to as ‘money market funds’, have become a synonym for safe, secure and reliable investments. You put your money i...
Read the fine print before you decide to withdraw or retire from your preservation fund
South Africans on average change jobs about five to seven times during their working lives. More than two-thirds do not preserve their retirement savings whe...
How to be a better long-term investor
Is your behaviour standing in the way of your investment success? Shaheed Mohamed helps us become more aware of common biases so that we can adjust our...
LISTEN : Should I invest in a unit trust?
You can invest in unit trusts for most of your financial goals, from saving for longer-term needs, to meeting your shorter-term objectives...
Your last Will & testament: Tips to ensure your loved ones are covered
What happens to your investments when you die? Will they pass to your loved ones, as you would want? An uncomfortable topic to think about, but one that we a...
Considering getting financial advice? Four key questions to ask your adviser
You wouldn’t gamble with your health by not seeing a professional, why do it with your financial future? Independent financial advisers can make a significan...
How to make sense of tax in unit trusts
The tax you pay can have big impact on your return over time. While you cannot make investment decisions based on tax alone, it is also a factor that cannot ...
WATCH : Invest for your child’s future today with a tax-free investment account
For most parents looking to make a long-term investment on behalf of their minor children, a tax-free investment account is an option worth investigating....
Are you a saver or a borrower?
It is difficult to be a fence sitter when it comes to investing and wealth creation. Either you are a saver, and are providing for your needs, both present a...
How can I earn higher returns and pay less tax?
Tax has a significant impact on the returns of your investment. If, like most of us, you would like to see more return in your account and less in the hands ...
What happens when I die?
Thinking about death is uncomfortable. But, trying to rebuild your life after the death of a loved one and dealing with questions of money is a stress that...
2016 Budget speech update
The Minister of Finance announced amendments to tax and other legislation that may affect investors.
February: Don’t miss out on your 2015/2016 tax breaks
The end of the tax year is fast approaching – but there is still time to take advantage of some of the incentives the government has put in place to encourag...
How to review your investments
When last did you perform a financial health check by reviewing your investments? It's important to occasionally take stock to assess whether or not you are ...
Five tough financial decisions you may have to make… And why they are worth it
Money decisions are never easy and often come down to personal circumstance and choice. If you are lucky enough to get a bonus or a 13 th cheque, should you...
Saving in a rising interest rate environment
The South African Reserve bank has announced an interest rate increase from 6% to 6.25% confirming that the country is in a rising interest rate cycle. Whi...
The pitfalls of investing, and the role of financial advice
Many investors lack the time, knowledge and experience to invest successfully, often encountering difficulties that could have been avoided had they taken...
Your minor children and the taxman
Investing on behalf of your children is a generous act of foresight and, if you can afford to do it, opens up future opportunities for them. Unit trusts are ...
Tales of rice and rewards
We often talk about the value of time in investing, but it is difficult to really get to grips with the rewards that can be reaped through compound growth:...
Commitment counts
There will always be ups and downs in the markets as much as in life. To deliver great long-term investment performance we believe a fund manager needs to...
What is outperformance?
While the dictionary definition of outperformance is simple, the complexity starts when we want to understand it in the context of our investments, as we are...
Are we snookering ourselves with confirmation bias?
We have written regularly about investor behaviour, noting how emotions can be our worst enemy. Driven by fear and greed, many investors buy high and sell lo...
Active versus passive
As a proud advocate of a committed active manager, Thandi Ngwane does her best to stay objective in discussing the pros and cons of active and passive...
The theory of risk and return
Wanita Isaacs offers some insights into how you can think about risk in your investment process. Efficient market theory holds that there is a direct...
Tomorrow versus today
Despite all of the economic doom and gloom in our newspapers, South Africans are buying a lot of new cars...
Understand the impact of inflation
There are different types of investment risks, some more obvious than others. One risk that people often forget about is the risk that their invested money...
Your role in your investment success
For some time now we have been saying that across asset classes, prices are high. Many of you may be wondering whether or not you should be making changes to...
Are your investment goals, products and expectations suitably aligned?
Our investment goals depend on our personal priorities in life and there is no generic set of goals that applies to everyone, and no set timeline for achievi...
Thinking long term
We encourage people to invest for the long term. But how long is long term and what does this mean for investment decision-making? Wanita Isaacs offers some...
What is switching?
We often caution investors against 'switching' at the wrong moments. But what exactly is switching and how do you know whether or not it is an opportune time...
What are the merits of good independent advice?
Many investors lack the time, knowledge and experience to invest successfully, often encountering difficulties that could have been avoided had they taken...
What compounding can do for you
'Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. Those who understand it, earn it... those who don't, pay it.' – Albert Einstein Compounding is when the...
Do you need a financial check-up?
The end of the year is a good time to review your financial well-being and put some new year’s resolutions in place that aim for better saving and spending...
Fund ratings: an additional tool for your decision-making toolkit
Over the last 10 years the unit trust industry in South Africa has enjoyed substantial growth both in assets under management and in the number of funds...
Investing tutorials: Why preserve?
Learn more about investing and personal finance in 'Investing tutorials', a new addition to our Quarterly Commentary. South Africans on average change jobs...
Distraction is the enemy
In an always-on, connected world, distractions are around all the time. We have well over a hundred television channels available 24 hours a day, seven days ...
July is Savings month - a good time to reassess your spending decisions
When deciding what to do with disposable income, South Africans spend money far more easily than we save. This is reflected in South Africa’s very low saving...
How to select the right investment manager
It is challenging for investors and their advisers to differentiate between investment managers in an ever-changing landscape. When assessing who is best...
Making sense of unit trust categories and intentions
We aim to ensure that our range of funds offers enough choice to meet your needs but remains manageable, without being confusing or creating too much overlap...
Make financial planning a priority in 2013
Research from the US1 shows that financial planning is a critical factor separating those who are on track to meet their financial goals and those who are...
Investing for education
As Wanita Isaacs joins the ranks of parents investigating ways to afford the best possible education for their children, she learns that, although long-term...
A balancing act
We have written at length about the perils of switching and trying to time the market, noting how investor behaviour plays an important role in investor...
Logic fails to prevail in investment decision making
Most of us make the same mistake with our money over and over again: we buy high out of greed and sell low out of fear, despite knowing on an intellectual...
The cost of waiting to save
Whether you want to save for your retirement, a child’s education or an overseas trip, starting now can significantly reduce the cost of reaching your goals....
The Allan Gray Investment Platform: high quality service with simple, transparent fund choice
Objectives for investing change throughout our lives, from buying a car or house, to longer-term goals, such as saving for our children's education and our...
The real effect of Dividend Withholding Tax
The new Dividend Withholding Tax (DWT) replaced Secondary Tax on Companies (STC) on 1 April 2012. Investors are understandably concerned about the long-term...
Online: your service channel of choice?
South Africa has seen a surge of internet users recently, with the number doubling over the last two years, and the current count standing at around 6.5...
Dividend Withholding Tax increases to 15%
During his recent budget speech, Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan, announced that Dividend Withholding Tax (DWT) will be levied at a rate of 15% when it is...
Everything can be improved
We are obsessed with always providing you with the best service and hope that, if we fall short of these standards, you will complain. Your honest feedback...
New Dividend Withholding Tax: how will it affect you?
As part of his February 2011 Budget speech, Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan announced that Dividend Withholding Tax would come into effect from 1 April...
Delayed gratification is priceless
Acknowledging your future financial needs and making concrete plans to meet these is a discipline that will benefit you and your family enormously. It is the...
Use your head not your heart and think long term
A key step when planning your investment is choosing the right unit trust based on your risk profile and priorities and then staying invested to reap the...
It is worthwhile starting to save early - a little can go a long way
You can substantially improve your financial situation if you start saving sooner rather than later and you will be a step closer to being financially...
Time flies
The first half of our lives we spend wishing time would hurry up - life simply moves too slowly. The second half, however, we wish time would slow down; ever...
Questions for personal investing
Rob Formby suggests five questions you may want to ask regarding your personal investments. Every person's situation is unique, so the list is not exhaustive...
The offshore conundrum
A question often asked of us is: 'How much should I invest offshore?' This question has a different answer for each person. Another, perhaps more important,...
Investing made not so scary
Many people find investing in financial products intimidating and complicated, and so they procrastinate and miss out on the benefits of being invested for...
What safeguards are in place to protect your individual investments?
At Allan Gray we believe that a critical part of your investment decision is arming yourself with full knowledge of the risks you will be exposed to. There i...
Service worth talking about
Although we do our utmost to provide exceptional investment returns we cannot guarantee that we will always get it right - we have no control over market...
Capital Gains Tax and how it affects unit trust investors
At Allan Gray, we focus on managing your investments. We acknowledge that there are important aspects of investing - such as tax on your investments - that a...
The role of financial advice in helping you become a better long-term investor
In the Quarterly Commentary 3 of 2008, Richard Carter explained the difference between fund and investor returns. He outlined both our role at Allan Gray and...
The benefits and pitfalls of foreign diversification
Most South African investors looking to diversify will choose to include offshore assets in their portfolio. The trick is to select the right combination of...
The cost of too much choice
People are attracted to choice, but that does not mean that having more choice will lead to better decisions, or a better decision-making process. Research h...
