Foreign funds: an investment case?

 
Is there an investment case for foreign funds?

Not really. There aren’t true money market foreign funds in the local unit trust industry, but there are a number of foreign fixed interest funds.

These invest in all the major global currencies, some are multi-currency.

An investor fearing rand depreciation and looking for a foreign currency hedge could look at these funds. But you are then playing a foreign exchange game that can be dangerous for investors without specialist knowledge or advice.

There are also foreign currency unit trust funds, which require investors to dip into their R4m foreign capital allowance.

These can be a suitable channel for investors who want to keep their money offshore, perhaps because they plan to move abroad or want to finance their children’s education overseas.

 - Finweek