Allan Gray Kaya Biz

Do I need to file an income tax return for the 2021 tax year?

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) continues to focus on introducing online and digital services, simplifying the tax-filing process, and making it easier for us as taxpayers to comply. Tax season is officially underway and filing returns provokes anxiety in many of us. Carla Rossouw, Tax lead at Allan Gray,…

27 Jul 2021 14 min

Investing for capital preservation and growth

Many of us are still reeling from the effects of COVID-19 on our lives, our health and even our investments. History reveals the only asset class that has consistently delivered returns in excess of inflation is equities. But after the rollercoaster ride of the past year, many investors are understandably…

29 Jun 2021 14 min

Building a solid financial foundation

As a young professional, it is easy to get sucked into focusing on your career, the immediate needs of supporting a family, and working towards your various goals. As a result, we often overlook the importance of building a firm financial foundation that can sustain us through life’s various seasons…

15 Jun 2021 12 min

The dangers of social media financial advice

In recent years, social media platforms have become a popular source for personal finance information and advice – with users sharing tips on everything from the latest stocks to buy and products to consider, to behavioural hacks to help you manage your monthly budget and more. But can you trust…

2 Jun 2021 11 min

Where to from here for interest rates and money market returns?

Lower interest rates are a life jacket for those who are in debt or paying off home loans, but they have negative consequences for savers. The repo rate is currently at 3.5%, the lowest in the country’s history, but with members of the South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee…

18 May 2021 11 min

Where to from here for inflation?

Most of us are familiar with what inflation means for our pockets – we can all attest to how inflation has affected the cost of goods and services over time – but inflation also has numerous implications for the markets and our investments. A great reflation versus inflation debate dominated…

5 May 2021 13 min

Key questions to help you prepare for your retirement

Although we all have different circumstances, we all want the income we receive in retirement to be sustainable for life and to be enough to maintain our standard of living. Ideally, we also want our income to keep pace with inflation each year. However, the reality is that less than…

20 Apr 2021 9 min

Balance caution with opportunism by investing in a low equity strategy

Risk-averse investors fled the market in droves as the COVID-19 crisis hit, opting for the security of money markets, rather than suffering through the volatility. However, it seems the appetite for equities has returned now that the markets are flying. While this behavior is understandable, it is also counter-productive for…

6 Apr 2021 11 min

Divorce and your retirement savings

The COVID-19 pandemic has sent global divorce rates soaring by up to 30% over the last year, adding to the life-altering trauma that many families have experienced as a result of the virus. Even though some estimates suggest that over 40% of marriages end in divorce, most couples aren’t prepared…

23 Mar 2021 13 min

Habits that set successful investors apart

With thousands of investments to choose from, many investors unwittingly reduce their returns over time by switching in and out of investments, being swayed by the prevailing market sentiment and letting their emotions take over. Building wealth is a long-term endeavour and those who manage to do it successfully have…

23 Feb 2021 12 min

Are you making the most of tax-free investing?

Set against a backdrop of lower overall returns, it is important to ensure that you are incorporating tax-efficient strategies in your broader long-term financial plan which make the most of the existing vehicles and products on offer. Tamryn Lamb, head of Retail distribution at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Bizz to…

16 Feb 2021 9 min

Understanding your tax liability

The final month of the tax year is upon us, prompting us to review our finances ahead of filing our returns later this year. This tax year has been particularly challenging for most South Africans, and many of us have had to dip into multiple income streams. Whether you have…

2 Feb 2021 10 min

Give your finances a fresh start

Last year was really challenging for most South Africans. We were reminded that life is unpredictable and that our financial circumstances can change at any time, which is why good financial planning is extremely important. The good news is that It’s a new year and we have a new opportunity…

12 Jan 2021 18 min

Be wary of overspending

2020 has been a difficult year for South African households: COVID-19 has meant that many of us have lost some or all of our income, placing additional strain on a country with high levels of debt and unemployment, and a poor culture of saving. As Black Friday approaches, kicking off…

17 Nov 2020 12 min

Are you sitting on savings you could be investing?

While the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for emergency savings as a buffer against tough times, it has also created anxiety for investors who are worried about their income security and market volatility. As a result, many investors who have been fortunate enough to retain their income streams during…

3 Nov 2020 11 min

Anaemic rate environment for money market funds

We have undoubtedly entered a difficult period for money market funds. The overnight repo rate of 3.5% is the lowest in South Africa’s history, and offers only a marginal uplift relative to inflation of 3.1% year on year for August 2020. Other market forces are also at work in keeping…

20 Oct 2020 11 min

How to invest to be crisis ready

It is financial planning week – which always serves as a useful reminder to make sure that our financial plans are on track. This year, this task is especially important when we consider that the pandemic has meant that many things haven’t gone according to plan. Investors who are financially…

6 Oct 2020 14 min

How to spring clean your financial habits

Today is the September equinox - the official start of the new season. Over time it’s easy to accumulate bad financial habits and lose sight of your long-term goals, but the fresh season brings with it an opportunity to spring clean your finances, get your financial house in order and…

22 Sep 2020 9 min

Is there a place for real assets in a conservative portfolio?

Today, cautious investors are allocating ever-increasing amounts of their capital to fixed income, including money market, bond and income funds. This is an understandable reaction to a five-year period of poor real equity returns and the increasing uncertainty we face as we live through the COVID-19 pandemic. But is there…

8 Sep 2020 15 min

Why women are better long-term investors

A number of studies have concluded that, in general, women achieve better investment outcomes than men. This is largely due to better investor behaviour. In the spirit of Women’s Month, Allan Gray’s Lettie Mzwinila joins Kaya Bizz to touch on some of the reasons why women may have the upper…

25 Aug 2020 7 min