Northcliff Investor’s Club’s second meeting

Zakiya McKenzie

zakiyam@caxton.co.za

The Northcliff Investor’s Club met for a breakfast forum on 22 October at the Benvenuto Conference Centre in Kelland.

Speakers Henno Vermaak of PSG Asset Management and Adriaan Pask, PSG Wealth Head, presented on the morning’s topics: local and international investment opportunities available, and the impact of costs on investments.

Vermaak said investors should not be afraid to diversify their portfolio and look abroad for investments.

“We’ve been running a current account deficit for many years in South Africa. The rand is dangerously weak but we take comfort in the fact that we can invest in solid, overseas companies. The proof is in the figures; our local fund has R3.5-billion and offshore we have US$45 million or R450-million.”

Five industries that Vermaak suggests pose good opportunities for South African investors are information technology, pharmaceuticals, medical technology, reinsurance and the automobile industry.

Pask discussed what investors could expect in terms of added costs to their investments. He reiterated the importance of knowing what the ultimate impact of fees would have on their investments and why they are paying these fees in the first place. Pask advised that investors must always look at alternatives to compare what is being offered and must not be afraid to ask uncomfortable questions.

“There is so much information out there and people often don’t know how to match their personal needs with what is in the market without professional help,” said the forum’s co-founder Pierre de Bruyn.

“A sportsperson has a coach and even movies are given a rating. The Northcliff Investor’s Club is here to act as that coach or rating system to match people with what is appropriate for their needs.”

Details: Pierre De Bruyn 079 498 8693, Tommy Ferreira 083 307 5903, or email invitations@northcliffinvestors.co.za