Unit Trusts explained

Unit Trusts explained

What is a unit trust?

  • A Unit trust is a type of investment that makes it easy and affordable for the “man on the street” to invest in the financial markets.
  • Your funds are pooled together with other investors’ money to invest in underlying asset classes by an investment company.
  • These assets classes include: Equity, Property, Bonds and Cash.  These assets classes can be South African or off-shore.

Investment period

  • Unit Trusts don’t have a restriction period like insurance products, but in order to see good return on your investment, it is best to invest long-term (anything between 5-10years or more)

Minimum amounts

  • You can invest as little as R500 per month with most asset managers (think Stanlib, Coronation, Allan Gray, Investec etc.) ….so no excuse why you are not investing!

Risk

  • While there is always risk involved when accessing financial markets, you can mitigate this by choosing funds that are not as risky BUT remember; the higher the risk, the higher the expected return.

Return

  • Unlike a bank account where the interest rate is fixed, the return on Unit Trusts fluctuate with how well the fund is performing, that’s why it is best to invest long-term. Over the long-term, you want to invest in an inflation beating investment…Unit Trusts are a good start.

Access to funds

  • Once invested, it is very easy to access your funds (normally with less than 7 days) but always remember your investment goal and not withdraw your funds on a whim!

 

Why a Unit Trust?

  • Investing in unit trusts can meet your needs for a deposit on a home, an education for your child or any capital expenditure…and if you are like me, just watch your money grow …cause #girlsjustwannahaveFunds right J