Market Dynamics Are Changing
It has been a topsy-turvy ride on the stock exchange, as this graph shows. It also shows there is little point in being concerned about short-term movements. Since the middle of 2014 movements have been in a fairly narrow band, hovering between about 47 000 and 54 000. The moral of the story is one needs to invest for the medium to long term and not over react to short term market fluctuations.
Looking Back at the First Quarter of 2016
Is 2016 turning out to be an annus horribilis for investors and the country’s economy? Not necessarily, but it certainly was a bumpy ride during the first quarter. No-one promised it would be plain sailing, with the tide turning against emerging markets, interest rates joining inflation in an upward spiral, and the threat of a further credit downgrading facing the Republic.
Rand Rally Only a Brief Respite
The rand has been recovering some lost ground lately, but the rally is merely a brief respite from the pressures the currency is under, Business Day writes in an editorial. Click on the link to read the article “Rand Rally Only a Brief Respite”
Update on Tax and Investments: Endowments
This is an update from an earlier post Tax and Investments: Endowments posted on the 30th July, 2014.
The change, as per the 2016/17 budget is:
Capital Gains are taxed in the hands of the insurer at an effective ate of 12% for individual policy holders. There are no exclusions.
Source: SARS Tax Guide
ConCourt Ruling a Win for Investor Confidence
The highest court in the land asserted its independence in no uncertain terms when it ruled against President Jacob Zuma and the National Assembly on the Nkandla matter. This will encourage foreign investors, whose confidence in the independence of South Africa’s institutions was shaken after former finance minister Nhlanhla Nene’s removal in December, writes Hanna Ziadi for Moneyweb. Click on the link to read the article “Concourt ruling a win for investor confidence”
Update on Tax and Investments
This is an update from an earlier post Tax and Investments posted on the 11th July, 2014.
The changes, as per the 2016/17 budget are:
Capital Gains is now an effective 16.4% if you are at the maximum rate of tax. Individuals are now allowed an annual exclusion of R40 000.
Source: SARS Tax Guide
