In a significant boost for South Africa’s investment landscape, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) has announced the listing of the Prescient Balanced Feeder AMETF (PBLNCD), an actively managed exchange-traded fund (AMETF) designed to give investors access to the Prescient Balanced Fund. This fund seeks to achieve long-term capital growth through a carefully structured blend of asset classes, including equities, bonds, property, debentures, money market instruments, and both listed and unlisted financial securities.
While its core focus remains on South African markets, the Prescient Balanced Feeder AMETF is structured to take advantage of offshore investment opportunities, in line with regulatory limits. This dual-market flexibility allows investors to diversify their portfolios across both domestic and international markets, providing exposure to global growth trends while remaining firmly rooted in the local economy.
Speaking on the launch, Rupert Hare, Head of Multi-Asset at Prescient Investment Management, highlighted the fund’s appeal to both individual and institutional investors:
“We welcome the launch of the Prescient Balanced Feeder AMETF, the third in our range of Active ETFs. This product allows investors and pension funds to gain broad, diversified exposure to local and global markets in line with Regulation 28 of the Pension Funds Act, while enjoying the benefit of immediate tradability on the JSE.”
Echoing this sentiment, Hattingh, Business Development & Exchange Traded Products Manager at the JSE, emphasized the exchange’s commitment to innovation and investor empowerment.
“We are proud to support the continued growth of actively managed ETFs on the JSE. The Prescient Balanced Feeder AMETF provides investors with a robust, diversified investment vehicle aligned with long-term growth objectives. This listing reflects our dedication to expanding the range of investment options available to South African investors.”
Actively Managed Exchange Traded Funds, or AMETFs, have rapidly emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments within the JSE’s listed product portfolio. Their rise follows key regulatory reforms introduced in 2022, which opened the door for fund managers to list actively managed ETFs alongside traditional passive products. Since then, AMETFs have gained significant traction among both institutional and retail investors, demonstrating a growing appetite for innovation, flexibility, and performance-driven investing.
Unlike traditional ETFs that track a fixed index, AMETFs utilize active management strategies to seek outperformance relative to their benchmarks. Despite this active approach, they retain the hallmarks of conventional ETFs — transparency, liquidity, and ease of trading — making them an ideal choice for investors who want professional management combined with the convenience of a listed security.
The Prescient Balanced Feeder AMETF aims to provide balanced exposure to both growth and defensive assets, positioning itself as an appealing option for long-term investors navigating dynamic market conditions. By combining an active investment strategy with the accessibility of exchange-traded products, it offers a strategic solution for investors seeking diversified, risk-adjusted returns in a changing global environment.
With this latest addition, the JSE now boasts 122 listed ETFs, collectively representing a market capitalization of R23.5 billion. This milestone underscores the exchange’s ongoing leadership in financial product innovation and its mission to broaden access to sophisticated investment vehicles for South Africans.
As the largest stock exchange in Africa and one of the Top 20 globally by market capitalization, the JSE continues to evolve as a hub of innovation and investor confidence. It remains a trusted platform for both local and international investors looking to participate in Africa’s most advanced capital markets.
For over 137 years, the JSE has served as a cornerstone of financial growth and inclusion, providing secure and efficient capital markets that drive economic progress. With the listing of the Prescient Balanced Feeder AMETF, it reaffirms its role as a catalyst for investment innovation, empowering investors with more tools to build resilient, diversified portfolios in today’s interconnected global economy.
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