If you retain investments and / or receive income in a currency different to that of the country where you live you are subject to inherent risk from a foreign exchange perspective. The graph, below, shows the movement in the exchange rate between the South African Rand and the Australian dollar since March 2005 and illustrates the impact on the value of your Rand based investments and / or income.

The Rand lost 31.5% in purchase power against the Australian currency over the 5 years March ’07 to ’12

The reverse would be true in the event of an appreciation in the value of the Rand against your local currency. Historic performance is no guide to currency predictions; the trend shown here should concern South African investors living abroad holding ZAR based assets. Time is always of the essence!