Most people know their loan is priced at “Prime plus or minus a percentage”. But what exactly is Prime? Prime is the standard interest rate banks use as a starting point when pricing home loans, car finance and personal loans. Your actual rate is then adjusted up or down from that base, depending on your risk profile. Prime is linked to the repo rate, the rate set by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB). Since 2001, Prime has been set at 3.5% above repo. This structure allow

Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) is one of the most important companies in the modern economy. It manufactures the tiny silicon chips that act as the “brains” inside smartphones, data centres, electric vehicles and the fast-growing world of artificial intelligence. These chips are built on ultra-thin silicon wafers and contain microscopic circuits that allow devices to process information and make calculations. TSMC’s ability to produce these chips reliably and at scale has suppor

“The best way to predict the future is to invent it” – Alan Kay When electricity first lit up a bulb, it dazzled the public. But that was just the beginning. Over time, it became the invisible force behind industry, transport, communication, and modern life itself. Today, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at a similar inflection point. Tools like ChatGPT have flipped the switch and made AI visible to the world. But the real transformation lies ahead, as AI becomes embedded in t

In the ever-evolving landscape of personal finance and wealth management, investors are faced with an increasingly wide array of choices. In South Africa, the investment universe has many options, from unit trusts and share portfolios to retirement annuities and tax-free investment accounts. Each type of investment comes with its own set of advantages and limitations, and their effectiveness often depends on the investor’s goals, time horizon, and tax considerations. Navigati

When you invest in a unit trust or model portfolio, it’s natural to focus on the fund’s name, past performance, or the reputation of the...

Never before have US equity markets been so accessible – or so crowded. Twenty years ago, around 4 billion shares were traded daily...

Recently, a relative gleefully sent through the pictures below to inform us that our upcoming US vacation would likely have a vegetarian...

On April 2nd 2025, President Donald Trump declared "Liberation Day”, unveiling a comprehensive tariff strategy that would apply to more...

We are often asked about Asset Swaps and Feeder Funds as the terms can be confusing. This article explores these concepts, terminology...

Remember Netscape Navigator? The company was the dominant web browser and search engine in the 1990s, later displaced by Google,...

Global events and investment market movements mean less than you think when it comes to successful investing The phrase “this time it’s...

In cricket, a power play refers to the restriction of the number of fielders outside the 30-yard circle of the pitch. Within the first...

On the first Friday of every month, the markets get ready to process the latest Employment Situation Report. The report is released by...

South Africa is set to introduce a significant reform in its retirement funding system with the implementation of the ‘Two-Pot system’1....

Every now and again something new comes along which changes the world. Until recently, Novo Nordisk, a 100-year-old Danish pharmaceutical...

Have you heard of TEMU? The online retail platform owned by the Chinese mega-company Pinduoduo is making aggressive inroads into South...

As investors, we tend to view the world through a listed equity lens. Not only is it easy to find information on companies like Nvidia,...

Every December, financial journalists sharpen their pencils and write about the biggest themes that will drive market returns over the...

The fentanyl crisis poses one of the greatest challenges to the US today. The drug is responsible for approximately 200 deaths per day.

Cybercrime has emerged as a significant threat in today’s digital age, affecting both individuals and corporations on a global scale. In...