What is factor investing and will it work for my portfolio?
When it comes to investing, two main approaches dominate: active management, which aims to outperform the market average, and passive investing, which seeks to match the market’s average returns.
Income vs total return investing: What’s the difference?
Self-directed retail investors choose to invest in global and local equity markets for various reasons. Whether that goal is building generational wealth, retiring comfortably, or generating passive income streams, understanding the difference between income investing and total return investing is an important distinction.
Limit versus stop-loss orders: What’s the difference?
In the volatile world of stock trading and investing, having the right downside risk protection can often mean the difference between a contained loss and losing your entire investment. Putting downside risk protection in place is particularly important when trading with leverage, such as using Contracts for Difference (CFDs), because it allows you to control […]
Know your rights: A guide to rights offers for DIY Investors
Everyone loves a VIP invitation to get the inside track on an exclusive offer or event. Well, stock investors are no different; a rights offer (or rights issue) is like a golden ticket, allowing them to buy additional shares at a special, discounted price before the general public has a chance.
When a listed company makes a rights offer, it issues new shares to raise capital, typically to repay debt, fund acquisitions or business expansion, or access working capital.
But rather than selling them on the open market, the company first invites existing shareholders to purchase them, usually at a discounted price.
What are penny stocks and should you own them?
In the world of DIY investing, penny stocks are often viewed as the ultimate opportunity to bag a 10x-er – that one stock that increases in value by 10 times (1,000%).
While the theme of exponential gains from a relatively small capital outlay is what draws investors in, the reality of navigating penny stocks requires a sharp eye for value and a stomach for volatility.
Making bank after dark: Understanding after-hours trading
The global financial market never sleeps – somewhere in the world, there is a stock market that is open for trading – and market opportunities don’t always keep business hours.
Supported by advances in technology, the global financial ecosystem has essentially embraced a “follow-the-sun” model, giving traders and investors in South Africa the ability to keep getting their share of global markets even after the JSE goes dark.
Known as after-hours trading, these capabilities mean investors in South Africa can purchase US stocks during our daylight hours, or use the overlap with the US pre-market to react to US earnings and news in real time.
Can’t afford an Oz? How to get fractional gold exposure
The gold price passed through $3,000/oz in March 2025 as US tariffs were announced. The precious metal then broke through the $4,000 barrier in October 2025 on rising geopolitical tensions, before passing $5,000/oz on January 20, 2026, fuelled by a weakening US dollar and record-shattering central bank purchases from China and India, reaching an all-time high of $5,626.80/oz on 29 January 2026.
Unpacking the link between company earnings and share price
While expected earnings are generally priced into a share price before a company reports, any gap between what the market expects and the actual results is what causes the swing in a share price.
What are the magnificent 7 stocks and should you own them?
For the past decade, tech stocks that make up the Magnificent 7 have attracted substantial chunks of investor capital by delivering high growth and, in many instances, eye-watering returns.
This group of high-performing U.S. technology and growth companies have dominated market performance and driven significant gains in the S&P 500 (VOO-NASQ) due to their leadership in artificial intelligence (AI), electric vehicles (EV), and other technologies.
What precious metals ETFs are available in South Africa
Precious metals are on a tear at the moment, with gold the standout performer, rising hitting a new all-time high above $5300/oz as investors look for shelter from global volatility and geopolitical risk. Platinum group metals (PGMs) are also benefiting from strong trends driving demand, like the transition to green energy and electric vehicles.