Blog
Monthly Market Commentary – November 2021
Monthly Market Commentary – November 2021 South African (SA) asset classes generally held up well over the month, considering the environment, with global unhedged bonds the best-performing asset class. The rand weakened sharply, driving much of the performance of offshore asset classes in ZAR. Local equities remained positive, driven by resource stocks and rand hedged […]
Monthly Market Commentary – October 2021
Monthly Market Commentary – October 2021 Global risk assets drove performance in rands for South African (SA) investors over the month. The rand did weaken slightly but overall returns from global equity and global property were produced mainly in hard currency. US markets continued to perform well with strong earnings results keeping global stock markets […]
SARS has more power now
SARS has the power to make you liable for your employees’ tax debts Chanel Raath (Director of Cornerstone Tax and Accounting Services) The tax season deadline is just days away and SARS has issued a stern warning about stricter penalties for non-compliance on Tuesday, 9 November. Did you know that employers could be held liable […]
Monthly Market Commentary – September 2021
Monthly Market Commentary – September 2021 September saw the spillover of global risks into South African asset classes with local bonds selling off and the rand weakening over the month. SA bonds showed their riskiness underperforming local equities as foreign investors shunned the fixed income market. Despite a weakening rand, the global property was the […]
Monthly Market Commentary – July 2021
Monthly Market Commentary – July 2021 South African (SA) equity was the best performing local asset class with the Resources sector masking the fall in Naspers and Prosus due to Chinese regulatory risks. However, global asset classes trumped local asset classes as the rand came under pressure and developed markets continued to grind higher. Global […]
Risk mitigation in the current economic environment
Risk mitigation in the current economic environment – Tomas Blendulf CAIASM – Head of Cape Town Operations The tragic and disturbing events unfolding in our country over the last few days, as well as the pandemic impact on the world over the last 18 months or so, certainly remind one of an (alleged) ancient Chinese […]
How to choose the right medical aid option for you
How to choose the right medical aid option for you – Tanya Motlafe (Director of Cornerstone Healthcare Consulting Services) In a few months medical scheme renewal season is opening and with it comes the once-annual opportunity for medical aid members to upgrade or downgrade to a different benefit option. This sounds much easier than it is, […]
Your 2021 tax return season checklist – get more back with these handy tips
Your 2021 tax return season checklist – get more back with these handy tips Chanel Raath (Director of Cornerstone Tax and Accounting Services) Tax season is in full swing and for most, a welcomed opportunity to get that ever-powerful tax refund that helps close the gaps in our expenses. Contrary to popular belief, tax returns […]
Monthly Market Commentary – June 2021
Monthly Market Commentary – June 2021 Emerging markets, in general, had a difficult month which included South Africa given its high EM beta characteristics. After being one of the best performing emerging currencies this year, the rand weakened strongly boosting offshore asset class returns in ZAR terms. Local equities blew off some steam after several […]
Fire damage – understanding what your insurance will and won’t cover
Fire damage – understanding what your insurance will and won’t cover Jaco Erasmus – Director of Cornerstone Insurance Brokers The recent headlining fires that devastated the University of Cape Town’s Library and Table Mountain, have made the public acutely aware of the devastation an uncontrolled blaze can unleash. What makes fire damage so traumatic to […]
Buy and sell agreements: What is it? Why do you need it? How do you get it?
Buy and sell agreements: What is it? Why do you need it? How do you get it? – Chanelle Taylor (Director, Cornerstone Financial Planning) 2020 has sadly seen many businesses suffer and close down, but it has also resulted in the emergence of highly innovative start-ups that are disrupting almost every industry in the world. Many […]
What is the difference between wealth management, legacy planning, estate planning and financial planning?
What is the difference between wealth management, legacy planning, estate planning and financial planning? – Paul Damant, CFP (Director, Cornerstone Investment Advisory Services and Managing Director, Cornerstone Financial Services Group of Companies) With much of the COVID-19 dust settling, many people are becoming more aware of their financial wellness and once again prioritising their financial future. […]
9 attributes to look out for when appointing an accountant
9 attributes to look out for when appointing an accountant Chanel Raath (Director of Cornerstone Tax and Accounting Services) Warren Buffet famously said that “Accounting is the language of business” and thereby reiterating the absolute importance of correct, professional, and clever accounting within every business. We wholeheartedly agree with Mr Buffet, and we would add […]
Smart Insurance: Finding the right balance between price and quality cover
Smart Insurance: Finding the right balance between price and quality cover Jaco Erasmus – Director of Cornerstone Insurance Brokers Since the inception of modern short-term insurance, it has been a grudge purchase. As an intangible product, it is often hard to justify paying for something each month that you may never use. “Cheap insurance” has […]
Monthly Market Commentary – March 2021
Monthly Market Commentary – March 2021 South African Equity has continued its good run of form, posting a decent 3.5% return over the month of March. Interestingly the local equity market was largely driven by the more domestically focused and smaller market cap constituents. Following in this theme SA Listed Property provided another good month […]
