Podcast: A Day in the Life of a Portfolio Manager

In the latest Ghost Stories podcast, The Finance Ghost caught up with Lauren Jacobs, Senior Portfolio Manager at Satrix*, to talk about the often-overlooked complexity of index investing and why there’s nothing passive about it.*

Precision Over Predictions

Managing an ETF may sound simple on paper, but as Lauren explains, it’s a role that demands precision. With over 160 portfolios under management and four portfolio managers, staying on track takes more than just systems, it takes discipline, timing, and a deep understanding of how markets move.

Not Just Buying the Index

One of the biggest misconceptions about index investing is that it’s hands-off. “You don’t just buy the index and walk away,” Lauren says. Whether it’s replicating the JSE Top 40 or optimising a fund tracking the MSCI World, each move requires planning, execution, and a deep understanding of both local and global rules.

Technology Meets Experience

Lauren outlines how Satrix has created tailored systems to manage the heavy trading volumes that occur during rebalancing, occasionally amounting to thousands of trades per day. These tools ensure accurate tracking and help protect investors from unnecessary losses, even when markets are turbulent.

ETFs in Her Own Portfolio

When it comes to her own money, Lauren chooses ETFs. “It gives you diversification at a fraction of the cost,” she says. Lauren's approach centres on long-term growth, cost efficiency, and diversification across local and global markets, without relying on market timing or stock picking.

Start Small, Think Long-Term

Lauren also speaks passionately about tax-free savings accounts. “Even if it’s just R100 a month, it’s worth starting,” she says. Over time, increasing that contribution, even slightly, can create a meaningful investment that grows tax-free and supports future goals.

Click here to listen.

*Satrix is a division of Sanlam Investment Management

Satrix Investments (Pty) Ltd is an approved financial service provider in terms of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, No 37 of 2002 (“FAIS”). The information above does not constitute financial advice in terms of FAIS. Consult your financial adviser before making an investment decision. While every effort has been made to ensure the reasonableness and accuracy of the information contained in this document (“the information”), the FSP, its shareholders, subsidiaries, clients, agents, officers and employees do not make any representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or suitability of the information and shall not be held responsible and disclaim all liability for any loss, liability and damage whatsoever suffered as a result of or which may be attributable, directly or indirectly, to any use of or reliance upon the information.

Satrix Managers (RF) (Pty) Ltd (Satrix) is a registered and approved Manager in Collective Investment Schemes in Securities and an authorised financial services provider in terms of the FAIS. Collective investment schemes are generally medium- to long-term investments. With Unit Trusts and ETFs, the investor essentially owns a “proportionate share” (in proportion to the participatory interest held in the fund) of the underlying investments held by the fund. With Unit Trusts, the investor holds participatory units issued by the fund while in the case of an ETF, the participatory interest, while issued by the fund, comprises a listed security traded on the stock exchange. ETFs are index tracking funds, registered as a Collective Investment and can be traded by any stockbroker on the stock exchange or via Investment Plans and online trading platforms. ETFs may incur additional costs due to being listed on the JSE. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance and the value of investments / units may go up or down. A schedule of fees and charges, and maximum commissions are available on the Minimum Disclosure Document or upon request from the Manager. Collective investments are traded at ruling prices and can engage in borrowing and scrip lending. Should the respective portfolio engage in scrip lending, the utility percentage and related counterparties can be viewed on the ETF Minimum Disclosure Document. 

For more information, visit https://satrix.co.za/products