In September 2026, the average prudential balanced portfolio returned -1.5% (August 2026: 1.6%). The top performer is the Arystec Balanced Fund, with 2.7%. NAM Coronation Balanced Plus Fund, with -2.4%, takes the bottom spot. Arystec Balanced Fund takes the top spot for the three months, outperforming the ‘average’ by roughly 5.6%. The NAM Coronation Balanced Plus Fund underperformed the ‘average’ by 1.2% on the other end of the scale. Note that these returns are before (gross of) asset management fees.

The Monthly Review of Portfolio Performance to 30 September 2026 reviews portfolio performance and provides insightful analyses....

Investing in a world preparing for conflict: Is global diversification still the safest strategy?

 Traditional global diversification has served investors well by spreading exposure across different economies and financial markets. However, its effectiveness depends partly on the continued functioning of an interconnected international financial system.

Read paragraph 6 of the Monthly Review of Portfolio Performance to 30 September 2026 for our views on investment markets and global political developments. It also reviews portfolio performance and provides insightful analyses.