A Message from Our CIO
Shane Watkins, Chief Investment Officer
"Our team is the heart of everything we do. Each member brings unique expertise, diverse perspectives, and an unwavering commitment to excellence that sets us apart in the investment management industry."
"What makes our team truly exceptional isn't just the impressive credentials or years of experience—it's the collaborative spirit, intellectual curiosity, and genuine passion for helping our clients achieve their financial goals. We've built a culture where innovation thrives, ideas are challenged constructively, and everyone is empowered to contribute to our collective success."
"I'm incredibly proud to lead this talented group of professionals. Together, we're not just managing investments; we're building lasting relationships, pioneering new approaches to asset management, and creating positive outcomes for our clients and communities."
"Excellence is not a destination; it's a journey we take together as a team every single day."
Investment Glossary
Understanding key investment terms to help you communicate effectively with our team
NAV (Net Asset Value)
The total value of a fund's assets minus its liabilities, divided by the number of outstanding shares. NAV represents the per-share value of the fund.
Portfolio
A collection of financial investments like stocks, bonds, commodities, cash, and cash equivalents, including mutual funds and ETFs.
Risk-Adjusted Return
A measure that calculates the return of an investment while considering the amount of risk involved in achieving that return. Common metrics include Sharpe ratio and Sortino ratio.
Total Expense Ratio (TER)
The total cost of investing in a fund, expressed as a percentage of average assets under management. It includes management fees, administrative costs, and other operational expenses.
Volatility
A statistical measure of the dispersion of returns for a given security or market index. Higher volatility means greater price fluctuations and typically indicates higher investment risk.
Yield
The income return on an investment, such as interest or dividends received, expressed as a percentage of the investment's cost, current market value, or face value.
Alpha
A measure of an investment's performance compared to a benchmark index. Positive alpha indicates outperformance, while negative alpha suggests underperformance relative to the market.
Asset Allocation
The process of dividing investments among different asset categories, such as stocks, bonds, and cash, to optimize the risk-return tradeoff based on an individual's goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon.
Benchmark
A standard or index against which the performance of a fund or investment portfolio is measured. Common benchmarks include the JSE Top 40 or FTSE/JSE All Share Index.
Diversification
An investment strategy that spreads investments across various financial instruments, industries, and other categories to reduce exposure to any single asset or risk.
ESG Investing
Environmental, Social, and Governance investing considers these non-financial factors alongside traditional financial analysis when making investment decisions.
Fixed Income
Investments that provide returns in the form of regular, fixed payments and eventual return of principal at maturity. Examples include bonds, treasury bills, and certificates of deposit.
