How to review our companies and strategies for the post-pandemic world

CatalystEducation, Lifestyle, Planning

By Andrew Bradley 15 Nov 2020  The Covid-19 pandemic is unquestionably a health crisis. That said, just focusing on the health aspects of the virus is too narrow a perspective. There is a lot more going on than a healthcare challenge. The most recent global crisis before this pandemic – the global financial crisis (GFC) of 2008 – was labelled a financial …

Governments have to weigh feedback loop of health and business crises

CatalystIllness, Lifestyle, Retirement

Though the Covid-19 pandemic is unquestionably a health crisis, focusing only on the health aspects of the virus is too narrow a perspective. Much more is occurring than a health-care challenge. The global financial crisis of 2008 originated from poor financial practices. The lasting consequences of the financial crisis led to a business crisis, which led to a health-care crisis. …

The doomsayers will be wrong again

CatalystIllness, Lifestyle, Planning

Keep learning, evaluating and looking forward, because the world will keep changing A quick look around will remind us that life can change quickly — as we are experiencing in the coronavirus era. Nothing lasts forever, not even the virus, say the world’s leading epidemiologists. We certainly don’t, nor do businesses, or leaders, movements or political parties. It is important …

Seven cures for a lean purse

CatalystEducation, Illness, Investment, Lifestyle, Planning, Retirement, Savings

– Age-old money lessons from 1926 that apply in 2020 There is much uncertainty in the world today and the effects of the coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on the financial and emotional well-being of many South Africans. COVID-19 and the consequent lockdowns have plunged many countries into recession in 2020 with the steepest per capita income contraction …

K-Shaped Recovery

CatalystInvestment, Lifestyle, Planning

The recovery of a stock market following a market crash is generally described using a letter of the alphabet. A V-shaped recovery refers to a short, sharp market recovery back to pre-crash levels, while a U-shaped recovery is used where markets remain subdued for a period of time before a recovery. A W-shaped recovery occurs where a V-shaped recovery is …

2019 Budget Overview

CatalystLifestyle, Planning

In summary: Disappointing budget, but Eskom support done in a positive manner. • Negatives: higher deficit and debt ratio’s; upward revision in expenditure ceiling; increased tax burden for individuals. • Positives: Strong statement on SOE’s and no Eskom debt take-on; reduction in public sector wage bill; continued emphasis on private sector’s important role and Strategic Equity Partnerships. Highlights: Upward revision …