Portfolio construction is not about finding the next winner

Trying to pick the best fund or next winning manager is one of the misconceptions investors and advisers can bring to portfolio construction, according to Symmetry head of DFM Kim Rassou. In the September Money, Markets and Masterminds DFM Discussion, Rassou tells Citywire South Africa editor Ruan Jooste why Symmetry starts with client needs, risk and strategic asset allocation before selecting managers. She also discusses growing concentration in global markets and why this prompted Symmetry to shift its global equity exposure from 100% passive to 60% active and 40% passive. The conversation explores Symmetry’s use of hedge funds and smooth bonus strategies in retirement portfolios, opportunities in SA and emerging markets, manager selection and why Rassou believes financial education needs to start much earlier in South Africa.