Life is unpredictable, and when it comes to protecting investments against unforeseen risks, it is prudent to have diversification in one’s portfolios. Spreading investments across different asset classes, industries and geographical regions helps to mitigate risk and reduce the volatility that can be experienced if a portfolio is overly exposed to a given type of asset. 

Considering offshore opportunities is one way to achieve greater portfolio diversification. This strategy reduces the risk that can arise from assets being limited to one region and it opens up opportunities to invest in companies and sectors that are not as widely available locally – including investments into rapidly expanding sectors such as artificial intelligence.

Opportunities abound

Technology has made our world a smaller place in many ways, and when constructing portfolios to achieve defined financial outcomes, there are a plethora of offshore investment options available to local investors. Among the most accessible choices for those starting on the journey of increasing their foreign exposure are rand-denominated feeder funds that invest directly into offshore unit trusts funds and funds with a high allocation to offshore assets, both of which are available via our platform. PSG Wealth’s range of multi-managed funds leverages the abilities of a wide selection of underlying fund managers, making them ideally suited to investors seeking greater portfolio diversification.

Those wanting more direct access to offshore markets can do so via local providers that offer these services. The PSG Securities platform offers access to more than 30 international exchanges, thereby offering an extensive and diverse range of investment instruments that can be tailored to suit different risk profiles and goals – all in one place and with one login.

Remember to do the groundwork

Understanding what to expect is the obvious first step in exploring opportunities abroad. In addition to selecting an appropriate investment vehicle, investors need to consider the limits applicable to how much can be taken offshore in terms of the South African Reserve Bank’s exchange control regulations. A further significant consideration is that holding offshore assets may impact your tax and estate planning requirements.

Seizing the day

The scope of choice available to investors looking to expand their investments beyond local borders creates almost limitless opportunities to explore new markets, increase diversification, and implement strategies to protect savings against excessive volatility and risk.

I encourage you to contact us on on 0860 774 774 or at clientservice@psg.co.za for more information on how you can leverage these opportunities to your advantage.