Morningstar^® Investment Conference

Guy Monson, senior partner and CIO of Sarasin & Partners, will examine the geopolitical and macroeconomic forces that are shaping world markets as the central banks gradually dial back liquidity. In his presentation he will outline the key political and economic risks and how investors can move to mitigate them, alongside his thoughts on global portfolio positioning and asset allocation.

Stephen will provide and understanding of where South Africa is politically, and what political decisions going forward could have an impact on the economy. He will also provide an analysis of the main dynamics underpinning next year's elections. Key to this will be an illumination of what is happening inside the ANC, and how this will translate into the broader political scene.

For over 40 years, behavioural science has shone a light on the biases and psychological challenges we all face as we seek to make decisions. However, few investment management groups appear to have incorporated this research into their investment process and hence remain vulnerable to these biases. In this session, Dan will explain the key biases that affect investment managers and how these can be overcome through organisational design and a thoughtful investment process. In doing so, he will help portfolio managers ensure their investment process is behaviourally robust and help advisers better assess the ability of discretionary portfolio managers to overcome their own biases.

Stream 1: Retirement Income Challenge
Over the past decade, living annuities have become increasingly popular in the South African market with the bulk of this money being allocated to traditional Regulation 28 balanced funds. This worked well for both advisors and living annuity clients up until recently when the current low return environment has resulted in living annuity portfolios drawing income that exceeds the capital growth. In this session we take a fresh approach to the thinking around the construction of these portfolios focusing on the balance between growth and income assets, the weighting towards offshore assets as well as the impact on volatility on the overall portfolio.
Eugene Visagie, Portfolio Specialist, Investment Management group, Morningstar

Stream 2: Morningstar Global Managed Portfolios
Over the past few years there has been a relaxation of exchange controls and an explosion of global investment options. Victoria Reuvers will be exploring the evolution of global investment options for South African investors and focusing on key areas that are prevalent to investment advice for global fund selection and portfolio construction.
Victoria Reuvers, Senior Portfolio Manager, Investment Management group, Morningstar

Over one-quarter of assets under management globally are being invested according to environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors, as stated by the Global Sustainable Investment Review. In this session, Hortense will look at global and regional ESG trends, portfolio transparency and understanding Morningstar's Sustainability Ratings and Carbon Metrics for Funds.

It's been four very tough years for South African investors and advisors. During this period there have been many changes in the investment landscape. This panel will address how the independent asset managers are evolving their businesses to adapt to these changes and ensure longevity and sustainability in an industry under increasing scrutiny. Discussions will include fees of SA managers vs global managers, transformation, the rise and impact of DFMs and the unintended consequences of legislation of independent advice will be addressed with industry leaders representing large and emerging asset managers

Exponential technologies are deceptively advancing in capabilities, creeping up on unsuspecting industry incumbents. Never before have so many quantum advances impacted the business landscape simultaneously. What are these forces, how do they manifest and how can we spot them early enough to future proof our businesses? What does this changing landscape mean in the context of how we define who our clients are, what they want and through which channel? What does this chaotic future business landscape mean for us as individuals? Willem offers a glimpse of international trends, where they are impacting, and how to prepare for the future.