Markets love a simple promise: When things get tough, someone will step in. In the United States (US) that promise has a name: The “Fed put”. This refers to the belief that the central bank will cushion losses and keep the cycle alive. This belief is again being tested as President Donald Trump nominates Kevin Warsh to lead the Federal Reserve (Fed).
South Africa is facing a retirement crisis: Only about 4% of South Africans can retire comfortably, despite decades of saving, countless product options, and an industry built on promises of performance. If products alone were the solution, more people would be financially secure. They are not.
For most of the past 70 years, India was the global economy’s great ‘almost’. It had scale, democracy, and ambition, but never grew. Economists even coined a term for it: The “Hindu rate of growth”, a pace so slow that it feels culturally ordained. Today, something different is happening. And for South African investors, watching from another large, complex, often-frustrated emerging market, India’s story is more than a curiosity; it is a mirror.
Every new year arrives with forecasts, bravado, and bold promises. Yet, this year does not seem like a year for noise. It seems like a year for judgement.
Markets enter 2026 shaped less by crisis and more by transition. The era defined by emergency policy, shock inflation, and aggressive tightening is giving way to something subtler: A recalibration of growth, capital costs, and expectations. For investors, this is not a moment for panic or euphoria, but for clarity.
As 2025 draws to a close, one truth stands out: This was the year the world finally accepted that the economic landscape has permanently changed. Markets were more volatile, geopolitics moved prices on a weekly basis, and deep structural shifts forced investors to rethink what “normal” means. So, what happened in 2025?
Black Friday has become one of the most prominent retail events in South Africa, offering the chance to secure meaningful savings when approached with intention. Rather than viewing it as a period of pressure or financial risk, this season can be used strategically to support your long-term financial wellbeing.
At Efficient Group, we believe that confident financial decisions start with clarity, planning and a strong understanding of your priorities. This guide is designed to help you navigate Black Friday in a way that aligns with your broader financial goals.
Global markets are sending mixed (and revealing) signals. Wall Street’s biggest dealmakers are busy again. Former ‘problem’ European countries have become disciplined. The United States (US) Federal Reserve (Fed) is pushing back against hopes for endless rate cuts. For South African investors, these are not just foreign headlines. They hint at where the next shocks to growth, inflation, and interest rates may come from.
After months of political noise, market volatility, and endless debate over tariffs and artificial intelligence (AI), the United States’ (US’) corporate engine seems to be humming again. Third-quarter results show that US company earnings are growing at their fastest pace in four years, defying gloomy predictions that President Donald Trump’s trade war would stifle growth.
We often measure success in rands and cents. Whether it is economic growth, the value of our homes, or the number on our payslips, we have come to believe that financial health is about how much we have. But true financial well-being is far more complex. It is not a measure of wealth but of contentment: The ability to live free from financial stress, make confident decisions, and plan for a future that feels secure and meaningful.
The global economy is again sending mixed signals. On the one hand, inflation in the United States (US) continues to ease, offering hope that the worst of the price surge is behind us. On the other hand, persistent structural challenges remind investors that disinflation does not necessarily mean stability.
