As cyber criminals continuously adapt to the challenges they are faced with when trying to access sensitive information, there will continue to be a need for innovation and development within cybersecurity. Organisations will not be able to afford to go uncovered and investments into their own security will continue. By 2026, the cybersecurity industry is expected to be around USD 345.4 billion. By including cybersecurity as a theme within portfolios, investors stand to benefit from this growth.

We have been writing about inflation since late 2020 and believe it’s safe to say that inflation has become a significant problem facing global financial markets. While inflation is still very much making daily headlines in the financial press globally, the focus is shifting increasingly to the impact on monetary policy, economic activity and financial markets. 

Although climate change is always a hot topic, recent weather patterns have highlighted its impact on the world. The closer we get to Global Day Zero and the more realistic 2012 seems, humanity will be forced to act on then necessary changes. These changes will be permanent and as investors we should position ourselves to benefit from them.

The first half of 2022 was by no means a walk in the park. The global economy, and capital markets in turn, had to face a barrage of shocks. Our central investment theme, “The Return of Inflation”, which we have written about at length since late 2020, has taken centre stage. Read our latest newsletter by Benjamin van Wyk, CFA, below.

Taking over all headlines at the beginning of 2022, the Russia Ukraine tension seems to have taken a back seat as the world encounters the politics of billionaires, the fear of EU instability and temperamental weather. The war however is far from over, with conflict exacerbating the rise of inflation and supply challenges. Hot on the press for the month of April was Elon Musk’s hostile takeover of Twitter, as well as the French election and devastation in KwaZulu Natal. 

Capital markets have been exceptionally volatile during the first quarter of 2022. Benjamin van Wyk, CFA takes a look at the benefit of staying invested over the long-term, as well as the importance of determining a suitable asset allocation based on an investors’ objectives, risk profile and unique circumstances.

We saw an increase in Eastern tension as Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February. Tension, which has been rife since the early 2000s, has intensified. Since then, we have seen the Russian rouble fall more than 20% to the United States Dollar as sanctions are imposed on the country. A notable sanction is the restriction on the Russian central bank’s access to their funds held by other central banks, limiting their access to their own financial reserves. Ukrainian President Zelensky announced on 28 February that he had signed a request to join the EU, a possibility which the bloc leaders will potentially consider this month at their informal meeting on the 10th and 11th of March.

A review of recent international developments, with added commentary on our Best Investment View portfolio.

In our view, the advent of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) Investing has created an opportunity. ESG Investing promotes investing for the greater good and postulates that companies following ESG principles will deliver superior long-term financial performance. This creates an opportunity within companies who have been aggressively discounted for not exhibiting these principles.

As we slowly inch towards year end and quietly amongst ourselves hope for a relaxed festive season, economic and market developments are certainly cause for much excitement. November was all but a quiet month: rate hikes, a renomination at the Fed, Black Friday and a new variant of the Coronavirus; much to keep us focused. Read our last newsletter for 2021 by Ashley Knight, CFA, below.