We are proud to welcome investment analyst Ryk de Klerk as a regular columnist in the Investment Indicators. Every two weeks, Ryk will provide you, our readers, with his unique insights on a range of investment issues.
His independent views are based on his own research and experience in financial markets since 1980.
Ryk was the executive director of PlexCrown Fund Ratings from 2004 to 2018. He initiated and developed the PlexCrown rating system in 2004/5. The system rates domestic and offshore funds available to South African investors on a risk-adjusted basis. It also rates management companies based on the underlying funds ratings.
The well-known annual Raging Bulls unit trust fund and management company awards, regarded by many as the Oscars of the unit trust industry, are largely based on the PlexCrown rating system.
In conjunction with FinaMetrica, Ryk developed a framework that enabled financial institutions and advisers to determine whether the asset allocations and model portfolios they market correctly reflect the level of risk tolerance for which they are intended. The framework also enabled advisers and/or their clients to test whether their current investments − single fund or multiple funds − corresponded broadly with the risk tolerance scores as agreed to between advisers and their clients.
Ryk started his career as an investment analyst for Sanlam in 1980, after obtaining a Bachelor of Economics from Stellenbosch University in 1979.
He was Sanlam’s head of mining research from 1985 to 1988 and went on to become a senior portfolio manager.
In 1989, he moved to the Board of Executors, also as a senior portfolio manager, before returning to Sanlam 1994.
In 1996, Ryk was appointed as the chief investment officer of PSG Asset Management.
He initiated the establishment of PSG Noble as an investment holding company and was its managing director in 1998.
Ryk was the chief investment officer of Plexus Asset Management from 1999 to 2001, and he was an investment strategy consultant for the asset manager from 2001 to 2012.
We believe Ryk’s insights will add value for readers. His first column for Moonstone is published today.
Read: South Africa is at high risk, but not only on the downside
