Economy
Expect a bumpy ride for the rand in 2019
Few currencies matched the rand’s turbulence in 2017, with factors such as Trumpenomics, the firing of finance minister Pravin Gordhan and the appointment of Cyril Ramaphosa as ANC president, contributing to the R2.04 price swing during the year.
Financial Services
Is South Africa Ready for a State-Owned Bank?
The proposed amendments to the South African Banks Act, published on 7 May 2018 for public comment, and expected to be implemented soon, would pave the way for a state-owned bank to be established on equal footing with privately owned banks.
Fintech
Opinion piece: The progression from banking to bAInking
Today’s customers demand an always-on, immediately responsive customer experience, and banks are turning to the likes of automation, robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to respond to these demands.
Instruments & Investments
Is the equity party over?
The cracks may be starting to show in the ten-year equity bull market, but does this mean that the cycle is now over?
International
Large-in-Scale, dark volumes increase as buy-side firms focus on delivering best execution post-MiFID II
Liquidnet report reveals how MiFID II has impacted trading behavior in Europe to date and reviews the potential for further change given the rise in periodic auctions and SI volumes, contrary to the regulatory intention of increasing liquidity on lit markets.
Markets
Market review: December 2018
Following the positive outcome from the G20 Summit talks, the US and China have entered a three-month truce, causing markets around the world to climb at month start. The increase was short-lived though, and the Dow suffered one of its worst drops in history, falling over 750 points.
Personal Finance
The estate planning implications of using tax-exempt savings vehicles
Weighing up the benefits of retirement annuities and tax-free investments in detail before investing is common, but do consider the estate planning impact of either choice as part of the process.