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Crypto regulation and US inflation
In an interesting interview, the Deputy Governor of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), Kuben Naidoo, provided some more guidance about cryptocurrency regulations in South Africa (SA). We have long since held that more regulation is necessary in the cryptocurrency environment, but more of the right type of regulation.
An update on the rand
Until recently, the rand has remained resilient against the United States (US) dollar. But during the past couple of weeks, the pressure has simply been too much for the rand to bear, causing it to depreciate to levels around R17.00. In the past, the rand’s demise was primarily driven by bad local politics, which led to bad policies, which, ultimately, led to negative sentiment.
Household income and the real cost of higher fuel prices
In June, BankservAfrica released another set of dismal monthly salary data for South Africa (SA). The Take-home Pay Index (BTPI) showed that, during the month of May, the average real monthly salary (removing the effect of inflation) in SA was only R14 696; this plummeted by 6.7% since May 2021.
Inflation and the unlawfulness of cadre deployment
Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) reported last week that, during the month of May, household prices increased by roughly 6.5% year-on-year. Higher inflation was partly driven by a low base effect, but more so by higher fuel prices, which have been increasing owing to the ongoing war in Ukraine as well as the sanctions imposed by the West. Fuel prices in May of this year are 32.5% higher than they were a year ago.
Significant Changes Ahead For Divorcing Couples Married Out Of Community Of Property
A landmark ruling by the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has delivered some good news for couples married out of community of property and without the accrual system. The ruling stipulates that neither party will walk away empty-handed when they get divorced.
Financial Markets Just Plunged, What Must I Do With My Investments?
For the last few days financial markets around the world have taken a massive beating, and this has affected investment portfolios severely. Some investment gurus are calling it the end of a very long bull run while others are calling it a technical correction.
Volatility Creates Opportunities
Whilst global economic growth remains strong and global unemployment remains low, the markets fear that global central banks will raise interest rates too quickly resulting in a recession. Conversely, not raising interest rates enough might allow inflation to become entrenched.
Should I Stay Invested?
During 2022, market sentiment was negatively impacted by events such as the war in the Ukraine, Covid, higher inflation and interest rates. Global equities fell by 15% year to date ending May 2022. SA asset classes were more resilient due to higher commodity prices. Although growth assets such as equity and property underperformed during 2022, these asset classes are required to outperform money market funds over the long term as illustrated in the table below.
Your Partner in Financial Services
Efficient Wealth provides a host of personal/business related financial services and value added benefits via its own internal resources and in partnership with a number of specialist financial services providers. Our objective is the provision of an array of “best-of-breed” products and services to meet the diverse and ever changing needs of our individual clients as well as their families.
Efficient Financial Services (Pty) Ltd, trading as Efficient Wealth, is an authorised financial services provider, FSP 655
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