In most of my reports, I always try to give investors the necessary tools to make informed decisions regarding their personal investment portfolios. Upon recently visiting my doctor following a somewhat incorrect self-diagnosis, he jokingly stated that “Dr Google” thinks he knows everything, often to the detriment of his patients. Not only did I make […]
As hard as it is to believe, we find ourselves in May yet again, and every year I remind investors who believe in myths and sayings to make sure that the actual data supports what they believe to be true. As I was writing this, the FTSE/JSE Capped Swix All Share Index had already strengthened […]
One of the most fascinating places I like to visit is Grand West Casino. Not because I like to gamble (because I don’t), but because people fascinate me. When they enter the casino, they’re all smiles and everyone’s full of enthusiasm. But when they leave, it’s usually a different story. It’s exactly this mood change […]
We all have that one thing or event that can take you right back to some of the best times in your childhood. I have plenty, but one that will always stand out is playing board games with my family at the dinner table during holidays. Unlike most families, we didn’t play Monopoly or Trivial […]
A friend of mine always tells the story of the farmer who bought a few lambs with the intention of expanding his farming activities. He fed them well and placed them in a small pen. He then set up his camping chair next to the pen, so he could keep a close eye on them. […]
When I mention the names Floyd Mayweather and Connor McGregor, four words come to mind: Top Arrogant World Champions. Both of them are regarded as some of the best in contact sport. Both of them put on a pair of gloves and get into a ring. Both of them want to see their opponents hit […]
Bertrand Russel said “Collective fear stimulates herd instinct, and tends to produce ferocity toward those who are not regarded as members of the herd.” This is particularly fitting when we consider investments, as fear and greed are seen as the two main emotions in driving our markets. For this purpose, however, I would like to […]
The French have a saying, “comparer des pommes et des poires,” which means to compare apples to pears. While there are numerous scientific reports on the similarities between apples and pears, the moral of the story is that when comparing things, you have to make sure that they are actually comparable and that you don’t […]
By the time I started writing my first column for 2019, we were already eight days into the new year and things seemed to look a little more promising than it did at the end of 2018. I also took some time to read through the 2019 investment forecasts of some of the world’s largest […]
A – ANC 2018 was tough year for the ANC. First, a change in “bodyguard” at the beginning of the year, followed by land reform and constant corruption charges against prominent members of the party. One can only assume that with the 2019 elections looming, things will definitely escalate going forward. B – Bitcoin Unless […]
It is that unmistakeable time of year when every single shopping centre reminds us with flashing Christmas lights and beautifully festive decorations, that Christmas is just around the corner. And with all the hype surrounding the festive season, it’s difficult not to get carried away yourself, because it is, after all, most people’s favourite time […]
One of John Templeton’s most famous sayings is “The four most expensive words in the English language are ‘this time it’s different’.” With that in mind, my mom always said that one should never say never, because you might end up quite surprised. Those of you who have followed my reports over the last 10 […]
Click here to see this most recent updated version of the Fear & Greed South Africa Index. Warren Buffet remains one of the most famous investors out there, so it’s no coincidence that his sayings are equally famous. One of my favourite Warren Buffett sayings has to do with two key emotions in the investment […]
At the time of writing, the Springboks were getting ready for their first test match against one of the northern hemisphere’s teams: England. As they were announcing the South African team, I couldn’t help but think that this actually presented the perfect opportunity to explain how factor investments work. Although Faf de Klerk may be […]
Flying back home recently from OR Tambo international airport, I couldn’t help but notice that by putting some distance between myself and the earth below, we get to see things from a completely different perspective. On the ground, everything seems to be moving constantly, but as the airplane goes higher and higher, the movement and […]
Humanity has always looked for some way to beat the system and has not been afraid to take the risks that are so often associated with it, whether those risks are similar to playing the lotto, or taking on the vast oceans in search of new continents. It has just never been part of the […]
I’m sure that most readers are familiar with the term ‘danger pay’. For many years, it was a term that was associated mainly with soldiers that had to do service in very dangerous areas. These days it can even include extra insurance benefits against events like kidnappings for families whose occupations require them to relocate […]
All entrepreneurs must dream of the day when their business grows to such an extent that it justifies a listing on a recognised stock exchange such as the JSE. Let’s suggest that this company grows even more and that one of its departments or subsidiaries becomes so large that it justifies its own listing. Now […]
We often hear people say that “he’s a big fish in a small pond”, or “he’s a small fish in a big pond.” I experienced the literal version of this saying in my own fishpond at home. I bought a few Koi and placed them in my tiny fishpond. Soon, however, they grew quite large […]
Relativity in the investment world is as important as it is in the real world. Let’s use the Tour de France 2018 as an example: Chris Froome entered this year’s Tour de France as the ultimate favourite, after winning last year’s Tour de France, followed by winning the Vuelta a Espana, and (earlier this year) […]
