Easy Equities: The User-Friendly Investment Platform for South Africans
Investing in the stock market can be daunting for many people, especially for those who have never done it before. However, with the rise of online investment platforms like Easy Equities, the process has become more accessible, affordable, and user-friendly. In this article, we will explore the key features and benefits of Easy Equities and how it is transforming the way South Africans invest.
What is Easy Equities?
Easy Equities is a South African online investment platform that allows users to buy shares, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and other financial products easily and affordably. The platform was launched in 2014 by Charles Savage, a former executive at a stockbroking firm, who wanted to make investing more accessible to ordinary South Africans. Today, Equities has over 1 million registered users and is the largest retail stockbroker in the country.
How does Easy Equities work?
Easy Equities works on a “fractional ownership” model, which means that users can buy a fraction of a share instead of having to buy a whole share. This makes it easier for users to invest in high-priced shares like Naspers or Tesla, which would be prohibitively expensive otherwise. Users can also invest in ETFs, which are a bundle of different stocks or bonds that are designed to track a specific index or sector.
To get started with Easy Equities, users need to create an account and complete the KYC (know your customer) process, which involves verifying their identity and providing some personal and financial information. Once the account is set up, users can deposit money into their Equities account via bank transfer, credit card, or EFT (electronic funds transfer). They can then use the funds to buy shares or ETFs, with a minimum investment amount of R5 (less than $1).
One of the unique features of Easy Equities is its “bundles” option, which allows users to invest in a pre-selected group of shares or ETFs based on a specific theme or strategy. For example, users can invest in a “green bundle” of companies that focus on renewable energy, or a “tech bundle” of tech giants like Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft. This makes it easier for users to diversify their portfolio and invest in a variety of companies without having to research each one individually.
Opening an account with Easy Equities, a South African investment platform, is a simple and straightforward process. Here are the steps you need to follow to open an account with Equities:
- Visit the Equities website: Go to the Equities website (www.easyequities.co.za) and click on the “Sign Up” button at the top right corner of the page.
- Enter your personal information: You will be asked to enter your personal information, such as your name, date of birth, and contact details. You will also need to create a username and password for your account.
- Complete the KYC process: Equities is a regulated financial services provider, which means that they are required to verify the identity of their users. To complete the KYC (Know Your Customer) process, you will need to provide a copy of your ID or passport, as well as proof of address (such as a utility bill or bank statement).
- Deposit funds: Once your account has been verified, you can deposit funds into your account. Easy Equities offers a range of payment options, including bank transfers, credit card payments, and EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer).
- Start investing: Once you have funds in your account, you can start investing in shares, ETFs, and other financial products. Equities offers a wide range of investment options, including individual shares, ETFs, and themed investment bundles.
It is important to note that Equities charges very low fees compared to traditional stockbrokers, with brokerage fees starting at 0.25% and no monthly or annual fees. However, you should always do your own research and consider your investment goals and risk tolerance before making any investment decisions.
Several benefits for users, including:
- Low fees: Easy Equities charges very low fees compared to traditional stockbrokers, with brokerage fees starting at 0.25% and no monthly or annual fees. This makes it affordable for users to invest even small amounts of money.
- User-friendly interface: Easy Equities has a user-friendly interface that is designed to be easy to navigate and understand, even for novice investors. The platform also provides educational resources and tools to help users make informed investment decisions.
- Fractional ownership: Equities’ fractional ownership model allows users to invest in high-priced shares and diversify their portfolio more easily.
- Automatic dividend reinvestment: Easy Equities offers automatic dividend reinvestment, which means that any dividends earned from shares or ETFs are automatically reinvested into the user’s portfolio. This helps users to compound their returns over time.
- Social investing: Equities has a “social investing” feature that allows users to.
Mobile App
Equities, a South African investment platform, offers a mobile app for both iOS and Android devices. The app is designed to make it easy for users to manage their investments on the go, with all the features of the desktop platform available on the mobile app.
The Equities mobile app allows users to buy and sell shares and ETFs, view their portfolio performance, monitor market news and trends, and access educational resources. Here are some of the key features of the Easy Equities mobile app:
- Trading functionality: The Equities app allows users to buy and sell shares and ETFs on the go. Users can search for specific securities and place trades in real-time. The app also offers real-time quotes and charts to help users make informed investment decisions.
- Portfolio monitoring: Users can view their portfolio performance and track their investments on the app. The app provides real-time updates on the value of their portfolio, the performance of individual securities, and any dividends earned.
- News and research: The Equities app provides access to market news, research reports, and educational resources. Users can stay up to date on the latest market trends and news and make informed investment decisions.
- Alerts and notifications: The app allows users to set alerts and notifications for price changes, news updates, and other events that may impact their investments. This helps users stay informed and take action quickly when necessary.
- Security: The Equities mobile app is designed with security in mind. The app uses biometric authentication (such as Touch ID or Face ID) to ensure that only authorized users can access their accounts. The app also uses encryption to protect users’ personal and financial information.
Overall, the Equities mobile app is a convenient and user-friendly way for South African investors to manage their investments on the go. Whether users are new to investing or experienced traders, the app provides a wide range of features and resources to help them make informed decisions and grow their portfolios over time.
(FAQs) about Easy Equities
What is Easy Equities?
Equities is a South African online investment platform that allows users to buy shares, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and other financial products easily and affordably. It was launched in 2014 and has over 1 million registered users.
How does Easy Equities work?
Equities works on a “fractional ownership” model, which means that users can buy a fraction of a share instead of having to buy a whole share. Users can invest in shares or ETFs, with a minimum investment amount of R5. To get started, users need to create an account, complete the KYC process, and deposit money into their account. They can then use the funds to buy shares or ETFs.
What is KYC?
KYC stands for “know your customer” and is a process that involves verifying the identity and financial information of a user. Equities requires users to complete the KYC process before they can invest on the platform.
What is the minimum investment amount on Easy Equities?
The minimum investment amount on Easy Equities is R5, which is less than $1.
What fees does Easy Equities charge?
Equities charges very low fees compared to traditional stockbrokers, with brokerage fees starting at 0.25% and no monthly or annual fees.
What is a bundle on Easy Equities?
A bundle on Equities is a pre-selected group of shares or ETFs based on a specific theme or strategy. Users can invest in a bundle to diversify their portfolio more easily.
What is automatic dividend reinvestment?
Automatic dividend reinvestment is a feature offered by Equities that allows any dividends earned from shares or ETFs to be automatically reinvested into the user’s portfolio. This helps users to compound their returns over time.
What is social investing?
Social investing is a feature on Equities that allows users to share their investment portfolios with other users, follow other users’ portfolios, and learn from their investment strategies. It also allows users to invest in portfolios created by other users or by Equities experts.
Is safe?
Easy Equities takes the security and safety of its users’ investments very seriously. The platform uses secure servers, data encryption, and two-factor authentication to protect users’ personal and financial information. Equities is also a registered financial services provider with the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa.
Can I withdraw my money from Easy Equities?
Yes, users can withdraw their money from Equities at any time. The money will be transferred to the user’s bank account within a few days, depending on the user’s bank.
