Martin Hesse

Munich

Business Correspondent at Der Spiegel

Journalist at DER SPIEGEL

Articles

What Is Investment Volatility?

5 days ago | honestmoney.co.za | Martin Hesse

The term “volatility” is commonly used by investment commentators. What exactly do they refer to, and, although it sounds nasty, how should you deal with it? Or should you avoid it as far as possible? Volatility is a statistical measure of the extent to which the price of an asset fluctuates over time. The term is generally associated with assets such as shares, commodities and currencies (including crypto), where the price can change from one moment to the next.
(S+) Siemens-Energy-Chef Christian Bruch im Interview zur Energiewende: »Unabhängigkeit kostet Geld«

1 week ago | spiegel.de | Markus Becker |Martin Hesse

WordleWortsuchePaarsucheWabenrätselDas tägliche QuizKreuzworträtselSolitärSudokuMahjongBubble-ShooterJackpotSnakeExchange2048DoppelRushtowerSudokenStreetWortblitzFibonacciGumblastWimmelbildSkiracerTrivial Pursuit Dialog schließen© Patrick Mariathasan / DER SPIEGELAnmelden oder Konto erstellenHelfen Sie uns, besser zu werdenDialog schließen© Patrick Mariathasan / DER SPIEGELHaben Sie einen Fehler im Text gefunden, auf den Sie uns hinweisen wollen? Oder gibt es ein technisches Problem?
Words on wealth: the dangers of going for cheap life insurance

1 week ago | businessreport.co.za | Martin Hesse

Explore the hidden risks of opting for cheap life insurance and understand how premium patterns can impact your long-term financial planning. Image: File photo. In this second article on life insurance, I look at level versus escalating premium patterns, why you get what you pay for, and how life cover fits into your long-term financial plan. Here’s a quick recap from last week (“Understand these basics before buying life cover”, Personal Finance, June 14, 2025).
Active and Passive – There’s Room for Both - Honest Money

1 week ago | honestmoney.co.za | Martin Hesse

The passive-versus-active debate in investing remains a lively one, some two decades after the emergence and subsequent surge in popularity of index-tracking funds. While compelling arguments continue to be made on both sides, most investment and financial planning experts agree that there is room for both active and passive strategies in a well-rounded investment portfolio.
Car Repossessions: Know Your Rights as a Consumer

1 week ago | honestmoney.co.za | Martin Hesse

If you default on your vehicle loan, the bank or finance company that provided the loan has the right to repossess your car. However, the law requires lenders to follow a standard procedure when doing so. You need to know how the procedure works and your rights and protections under South Africa’s consumer laws.
Words on wealth: the importance of caring and sharing for wellbeing

1 week ago | businessreport.co.za | Martin Hesse

Discover how caring and sharing within communities contribute to overall wellbeing, as highlighted by the World Happiness Report 2025, which reveals the significance of social connections in enhancing happiness. Image: UnsplashWhat contributes to people’s quality of life? The obvious factors include financial security, physical health, education, political freedom, a low crime rate, and trust in government.
Words on wealth: understand these basics before buying life cover

1 week ago | businessreport.co.za | Martin Hesse

Discover the essential factors to consider when choosing a life insurance policy, including insights from financial expert Verlyn Troskie. Image: File photo. When you take out a life insurance policy, you need to take particular care that you get it right the first time. The trouble with life insurance is that it becomes more expensive as you age, and that, if you put it off until later, there is the possibility you’ll have health issues that may even prevent you from being covered at all.
Counting the Cost of SA’s Addiction to Credit

2 weeks ago | honestmoney.co.za | Martin Hesse

Most addictions are expensive – think of the cost of a packet-a-day smoking habit or the losses racked up by habitual gamblers. The use of credit is an extremely common addiction in South Africa, and it can be very expensive, especially on unsecured credit lines such as personal loans, credit cards and store cards.
How to Determine the Costs of Your Investments

2 weeks ago | honestmoney.co.za | Martin Hesse

If you’re interested in how much you are paying in costs on your investments, there are various measures used by providers. You need to know how these measures differ. Costs are layered, depending on the type of product and whether you invest directly or via a linked-investment service provider (Lisp) platform. On top of investment and platform fees, there are advice fees, which should be negotiated with your adviser, but may be built into the fee structure as a default option.
(S+) Energiewende: Deutschlands Chancen im globalen Batterieboom

2 weeks ago | spiegel.de | Martin Hesse

WordleWortsuchePaarsucheWabenrätselDas tägliche QuizKreuzworträtselSolitärSudokuMahjongBubble-ShooterJackpotSnakeExchange2048DoppelRushtowerSudokenStreetWortblitzFibonacciGumblastWimmelbildSkiracerTrivial Pursuit Dialog schließen© Patrick Mariathasan / DER SPIEGELAnmelden oder Konto erstellenHelfen Sie uns, besser zu werdenDialog schließen© Patrick Mariathasan / DER SPIEGELHaben Sie einen Fehler im Text gefunden, auf den Sie uns hinweisen wollen? Oder gibt es ein technisches Problem?