About




What RationalInvestor Notes Is About

RationalInvestor Notes is an independent, non-commercial educational resource created specifically for South African investors who want to understand markets through evidence rather than hype.

We dig into decades of local and global academic research, JSE historical data, and behavioural-finance studies, then explain the findings in straightforward English—no jargon, no sales pitch, no promises of beating the market.

Whether you’re trying to make sense of rand volatility, offshore allowance rules, the real long-term effects of fees, or why most active funds underperform their benchmarks, you’ll find clear, research-backed answers here.

Long-term JSE performance chart

Core Principles

The evidence-based ideas that shape everything published on RationalInvestor Notes

Diversification Works Evidence from 100+ years
Costs Compound Even 1% matters over decades
Time in Market > Timing JSE data since 1899
Markets Are Mostly Efficient Active managers rarely win long-term
Risk and Return Are Related No reward without volatility
Behaviour Is the Biggest Variable Discipline beats intelligence

F.A.Q

Frequently Asked Questions

Is RationalInvestor Notes a financial advisory service?

No. We publish educational articles and research summaries only. Nothing on this site constitutes financial advice, recommendations, or an offer to sell any product.

Do you sell investment products or earn commissions?

Never. RationalInvestor Notes is 100% independent and receives no payment from fund managers, brokers, or any financial institution.

Why focus specifically on South African investors?

The rand, offshore limits, tax rules, and concentrated JSE create a unique environment. Local research and historical data often get overlooked in global investing discussions.

Can I trust the data and studies you reference?

Every claim is linked to publicly available academic papers, JSE returns data, or reputable sources. We encourage readers to verify everything themselves.

Will following your principles guarantee good returns?

No investment approach can guarantee returns. Markets are unpredictable in the short term. Evidence-based principles simply give investors the highest probability of reaching their long-term goals.

How often is new content published?

New in-depth articles appear roughly twice a month. Quality and accuracy always come before frequency.