Africa’s GDP could leapfrog developed economies, but vaccinations are lagging
Once the COVID-19 pandemic is under control, the resumption of economic activity in Africa could result in a compelling story for investors. According to the IMF, GDP growth in both West Africa and East Africa will start outstripping growth in developed countries from next year, and from 2023 the continent overtake developed countries. Source: IMF,...
The Russian Invasion of Ukraine
A complex geopolitical situation is unfolding in the form of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. We describe this in some detail below. The situation has already, of course, had implications for markets, a brief summary of which we cover in the following paragraph followed by our advice for how to navigate the coming times....
South African Hedge Funds: ESG and Materials sector doing good?
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing is gaining increasing investor interest and momentum – a 2020 OECD report shows that portfolios with ESG integrated elements exceeded USD17.5 trillion for that year. RisCura conducted an analysis to see how hedge funds are faring in this space. Our analysis focused on the materials sector, including...
South Africa is a shared responsibility, and your choices have an impact
The issues among those that fall under the ESG ambit are everyone’s concern, and this cannot be ignored, especially if we are to work towards building a better South Africa for all who live in it. The Covid-19 pandemic has easily outstripped the previous global economic crises in its impact on the global economy, and...
How retail investors can “invest for the good” – sustainable investment for the man on the street
Retail investors, by selecting portfolios, asset classes or asset managers who are focused on sustainability, have the option to ”‘invest for the good”. It has become increasingly clear that how we invest has a wide-ranging impact – touching on the environment, on society, on inequality, and on governance. Sustainability has become a buzzword,...
Climate change – How institutional investors can drive real world outcomes
Climate change is the defining challenge of our time, and institutional investors can play a pivotal role in driving real world outcomes by influencing the companies they invest through stronger engagement practices. It may even be appropriate in some instances, to actually increase their exposure to carbon-intensive companies to gain sufficient influence...
Micro pensions ideal for a two-pot retirement system
The government is expected to release proposed measures for a two pot retirement system in early 2022. The system, which would allow for one or more withdrawals before retirement from their “access pot”, comes with the trade-off that members need to keep the balance of their retirement fund savings in their “preservation pot” until they...
How the investment industry can further back South Africa
A new report on stewardship in South Africa has been launched today by investment firm RisCura. “Moving the Needle – Stewardship in South Africa” is the result of research into fifty-two South African private sector asset managers, with over R3.9 trillion in assets under management. This represents 70% of South Africa’s total savings and investment...
Moving the Needle – Stewardship in South Africa
Active ownership, stewardship, proxy voting and engagement are more than just buzzwords. Understanding their impact and taking action is what drives real change for investors and broader society. Moving the Needle, released in November 2021, looks at engagement and proxy voting practices in-depth and how these are used (or not) to address ESG concerns....
