Bear market in VIX is over – investors are staring down the barrel
Investors are buying more put options than call options, which is driving up market volatility.
Industry News
RAF amendments ‘will result in higher medical scheme contributions’
The proposed liability exclusions in the Road Accident Fund Amendment Bill will hit medical schemes and short-term insurers hard, legal experts warn.
FSCA publishes draft 2024/25 budget for comment
In line with previous financial years, FSPs will be the main contributors to the Authority’s revenue from levies.
FAIS Ombud budgets for more levy income despite 0% increase
The Office can no longer look to the FSCA to make up for any shortfalls in income.
Ombud Council’s 2024/25 budget reflects shift to operational independence
Bridging finance from National Treasury may not be required now that it has certainty of receiving levy and special levy income.
Law firm off the hook for R2.5m Ponzi scheme claim
Legal missteps in a substitution application have left a R2.5m claim against a law firm implicated in a 2010 Ponzi scheme dead in the water.
Navigating a polycrisis landscape in South Africa
Thabile Nyaba, chief risk and sustainability officer at Old Mutual Insure, shares how the insurance industry can help South Africa to weather the economic and geopolitical storm.
RAF tells medical schemes regulator to butt out of its dispute with Discovery Health
The fund says there is an ‘unholy alliance’ between the Council for Medical Schemes and the administrator to ‘misinform’ medical scheme members.
Taiwan – a country preparing for a possible war
With 12 038km between South Africa and Taiwan, the East Asia island’s woes as it prepares for a possible invasion by mainland China might seem far removed. However, should their ‘non-provocative’ cross-strait policy fail, the fallout will shake the world.
More asset manager consolidation ‘is inevitable’
Mergers and acquisitions will increase because the country’s low savings rate and stagnant economy cannot support the number of fund managers.
‘The free lunch from guarantees may come at a hefty cost’
Investors should remember that the price of the guarantee is not only in the return they lock in, but also in the future returns they give up by being out of equity markets.
Sanlam research delves into South Africans’ level of financial confidence
Most experience stress when managing their day-to-day personal finances.
Parametric-based business interruption cover proffered for SA’s ‘next pandemic’
Parametric insurance has traditionally focused on safeguarding against extreme weather events. Can it provide a solution for other threats?
How customer experience and social media are set to drive the short-term insurance industry
Old Mutual Insure’s Antonia Oakes shares her insights on the emergence of the ‘want it now’ culture and the evolution of the ‘experience economy’.
Momentum Metropolitan buys RMI Investment Managers from OUTsurance
The transaction will give MMH higher indirect shares in several boutique asset managers, including Truffle and Perpetua.
Why I’ve increased the duration of my interest-bearing investments
The yields on three-to-five-year US and SA bonds are offering exceptional opportunities from a risk/return point of view.
Hard-pressed consumers dip into unit trust investments in second quarter
But reinvestments exceed net outflows, leaving the local collective investment schemes industry with an effective net inflow of R16bn.
