Financial Associates
NEWSLETTERS
Stay Informed. Stay Prepared.
Our monthly newsletters provide timely insights into financial markets, investment trends, retirement planning, wealth preservation, taxation, and economic developments affecting South African investors. Each edition is designed to help you make informed financial decisions with confidence.
SEPTEMBER 2026 MARKET INSIGHTS
Heritage, Wealth and the Legacy We Leave Behind
September invites us to reflect on the values, traditions and opportunities we pass from one generation to the next. In this edition, we explore how thoughtful estate planning, mid-year financial reviews and disciplined saving can help turn today’s decisions into a lasting financial legacy for your family.
JULY 2026
As we step into the second half of 2026, the South African economic landscape is showing signs of both resilience and necessary caution.
JUNE 2026
As we enter June 2026, the South African financial ecosystem is confronting a dynamic combination of market resilience and domestic monetary tightening.
MARCH 2026
Following Minister Enoch Godongwana’s February 2026 Budget Speech, there is a sense that the fiscal "heavy lifting" of previous years is beginning to manifest in tangible policy shifts.
NOVEMBER 2025
Thank you for choosing Financial Associates as your trusted partner in Estate Planning, Risk Management, and Investment Returns. This year has been a whirlwind of change and opportunity, much like previous years.
OCTOBER 2025
Statistics South Africa reported that real GDP strengthened by 0.8% in the second quarter (April-June), an improvement from the previous quarter, driven by a broad-based recovery in sectors like manufacturing, mining, and trade, alongside stronger household consumption.
SEPTEMBER 2025
Having a valid will is an important part of a complete financial plan. If a person dies without a will, their assets are distributed according to the Intestate Succession Act, and the following problems may arise:
AUGUST 2025
The South African Reserve Bank's (SARB) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to cut the repo rate by 25 basis points at its meeting on July 31, 2025. This brings the repo rate down to 7.0%, with the prime lending rate for commercial banks now at 10.5%.
JULY 2025
Being a prudent investor does not necessarily mean being a conservative one and, although it seems counterintuitive, following an investment strategy that is too risk-averse could cost you dearly in the long run. On the other hand, following popular trends instead of proven long-term investment strategies can result in substantial losses.
JUNE 2025
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) recently announced a 25-basis-point cut to its benchmark repo rate, bringing it down to 7.25%. This means that the prime interest rate has decreased to 10.75%. The move reflects a more favorable inflation outlook, with CPI having registered at 2.8% in April, below the SARB's 3-6% target range.
MAY 2025
The proposed Value Added Tax (VAT) increase has been a contentious issue and turned into a political quagmire for the Government of National Unity. Initially announced as a 0.5% increase effective from 1 May 2025, with a further 0.5% increase planned for April 2026, the decision has now been reversed.
APRIL 2025
According to Stats SA South Africa’s GDP expanded by 0,6% in the fourth quarter of 2024, its strongest rise since the second quarter of 2023. The agriculture industry was the main driver of this upward growth on the supply side of the economy, with trade and finance providing additional support.
MARCH 2025
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is set to deliver the 2025 Budget Speech on 12 March 2025, following a postponement of the 2025 Budget Policy Statement. While there was general surprise at the Budget Speech being postponed, the rand has seen little impact to date.
FEBRUARY 2025
The South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) lowered the repo rate by 25 basis points (bps) to 7.50% at its January 2025 meeting. This means that the prime lending rate is now 11%. The MPC sees the repo rate stabilising at 7.25% over the next few years.
JANUARY 2025
The beginning of a new year is a good time to take stock of your financial situation, and to ask yourself whether you are still on track to reach your long-term financial goals. If you have not yet quantified these goals, or if your personal circumstances have changed, please do not hesitate to reach out.
DECEMBER 2024
While the economy has been struggling to recover from the damage caused by state capture and the COVID-19 epidemic, there are growing positive signs that National Government is serious about building partnerships with the private sector.
NOVEMBER 2024
PwC reports that the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) All Share Index gained 15.2% during the third quarter (July-September) of the year to reach new record highs on the back of growing optimism of what a more effective government could mean for the economy and company revenue.
OCTOBER 2024
In September, the South African Reserve Bank made a significant move by cutting the repo rate by 25 basis points, bringing it down to 8%. This means that the prime lending rate is currently 11.5%. This decision came in response to a notable decline in consumer inflation.
SEPTEMBER 2024
A recent global survey from Edelman shows that as little as one in four South Africans believe that most people in the country can be trusted. Lullu Krugel, PwC SA Chief Economist and Africa Sustainability Platform Leader, says that social capital plays a pivotal role in economic development.
AUGUST 2024
The landscape of investment in South Africa has been dynamic and ever-evolving, with unit trust funds consistently at the forefront for individual investors seeking diversified portfolios. Unit trusts, by design, pool resources from multiple investors to invest in a variety of financial instruments, including stocks, bonds, and other securities.
JULY 2024
The GNU, which represents a coalition of various political entities, has brought about a wave of optimism, particularly among market players. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the national currency have both experienced a boost, signalling confidence in the new government's potential to govern effectively
JUNE 2024
The 2024 general elections in South Africa have been a significant event, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's democratic journey. The results of these elections carry profound implications for the political landscape, economic policies, and social dynamics of the country.
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