In August 2024, the average prudential balanced portfolio returned 1.3% (July 2024: 2.0%). The top performer is Investment Solutions Balanced Fund, with 2.10%, while Allan Gray Namibia Balanced Fund, with 0.40%, takes the bottom spot. Momentum Namibia Growth Fund took the top spot for the three months, outperforming the ‘average’ by roughly 1.2%. Allan Gray Namibia Balanced Fund underperformed the ‘average’ by 1.2% on the other end of the scale. Note that these returns are before (gross of) asset management fees.

The Monthly Review of Portfolio Performance to 31 August 2024 reviews portfolio performances and provides insightful analyses. 

How to hedge your bets on the road to a new world order

In a global conflict, the dynamics would change drastically. It would severely disrupt international trade, financial flows, economies, and supply chains while reallocating resources towards the war economy and essential services. While global investment diversification is a sound investment principle, keeping your belongings under your control and close to home will be wise, as your foreign assets are likely impaired and inaccessible in a global conflict.

We live in a time between a fainting old and a new world order. One cannot foresee what the new world order would look like. It could be a capitalist autocracy, a more pragmatic multipolar order or a socialist autocracy. The old world order is likely to end within the next five years. The world will then witness a global confrontation, laying the foundation for the future world order. In this interregnum, we will experience high levels of market volatility and large swells between out-of-favour and in-favour sectors, but markets generally drifting along. Stock-picking skills will prove superior to index investing. The investor must understand how the feared conflict will impact stocks to select the right stocks.

The Monthly Review of Portfolio Performance to 31 August 2024 reviews portfolio performances and provides insightful analyses.