The ETF Investor

Investments in healthcare products and services have expanded in recent years to also focus on new technologies and disruptive innovations, as the combination of the Covid pandemic and increased longevity and ageing populations have caused a shift in this traditionally defensive sector. What does this shift towards biotechnology, breakthrough innovations in life sciences and genomics, remote diagnosis and surgical procedures, to name but a few, mean for the investment case for healthcare?

In his recently published book – The Bogle Effect – Eric Balchunas credits Jack Bogle, the father of index investing and founder of the Vanguard Group, with saving investors over one trillion dollars (and counting), thanks to the direct and indirect effects of lower investment costs. Although the low cost structures of index funds take much of the credit, it is the unique mutual ownership structure of Vanguard that serves as the catalyst for investors receiving all the benefits of lower fees.

China as an investment destination has challenged the most determined of investors in recent years. The long-term growth prospects and the importance of China in the global investment universe are well established, but the when, what and how to invest in China, remain key questions. The range of options available on the JSE continue to expand, and this latest offering from Sygnia Itrix focus on the "new sectors" in the Chinese economy. What are these, and how does it compare to the alternatives already available?

The annual SALTAs (SA Listed Tracker Awards) celebrate the achievements of ETP issuers in South Africa, and gives insight into measuring success for ETFs and ETNs - total return performance, tracking efficiency, capital raising, efficiency in trading, and the flagship People's Choice Award.

With an ever-growing range of exchange-traded products available on the JSE, ETF investors may find themselves overwhelmed with choice, and how to select a portfolio of ETFs that is consistent with their investment objective, risk tolerance, and time horizon. Model portfolios offer a solution to bridge this gap, but what are these, and how do they work?

Investments in emerging markets come in many different forms and until recently, exposure to India – the second-largest emerging market by GDP, and the 6th-largest on a global scale – could only be found as part of a broader emerging market ETF. The Satrix MSCI India Feeder ETF now allows for a more specific investment choice, but what is the current value proposition, and what exposure does it add to your portfolio?

From RMB to Ashburton and now FNB – what's in a name? We explore the recent changes for the former Ashburton ETFs and re-visit the full range of exchange-traded products options offered by the Firstrand Group under the "FNB" brand, many of which are unique on the JSE.

The idea to "own the market" by simply buying a Top 40 ETF has evolved over time, as first sector ETFs – financials, industrial, resources – and later factor-based ETFs, such as dividends, value and momentum – were added to the range. But until this week, ETF investors were not able to buy a single, broad-based JSE All Share index in ETF form. How have the broad-based market indices evolved over time to bring us to this point, and how should you think about "owning the market"?

"When will we get a Bitcoin ETF in South Africa"? This question is asked with remarkable regularity, especially whenever the prices of cryptocurrencies experience a strong run. So why have we not seen it in South Africa yet, despite several attempts by different ETF issuers? What are the regulatory constraints, and what needs to be put in place before this can become a reality?