CM Trading is going round-for-round with EFC Africa in the global arena and it’s turning out to be the pairing of year! The announcement earlier this year that CM Trading is jumping into the ring with a one-year sponsorship of EFC (Extreme Fighting Championship) and a deal with EFC middleweight king Dricus du Plessis to act as their brand ambassador for six months, was met with more than a bit of surprise in the industry. But, this online trading company with an out of the box approach to investment opportunities has a reputation for making surprising moves, and a successful start to the sponsorship has validated their decision. This is certainly no surprise to Daniel Kibel, CM Trading Co-Founder. "We are very excited about how our partnership with the EFC, and with Dricus in particular, is progressing. As Africa’s largest and best-known online broker, CM Trading’s cooperation with Africa’s fastest growing sport is a natural fit. CM Trading is Africa’s local international broker, so it’s decidedly a perfect match.”

A sponsorship of this nature is a big win for EFC and has also had positive ripple effects for du Plessis. “Having Brands such as CM Trading get behind the sport in Africa is absolutely huge,” says du Plessis. “The sport depends on large corporations to build awareness, a sponsorship of this nature, adds weight to the growing popularity of EFC across the continent, and the globe. It is a solid step in the right direction to take the sport to a whole new level, introducing it to a whole new set of fans.”

CM Trading is committed to demystifying online trading and demonstrating its accessibility to everyone. So naturally, we were interested in hearing du Plessis’ take on whether he has dabbled in any online trading. “I have spent some time on their platform and am still learning the art of online trading, but the videos and guides are so interesting and accessible and have been really helpful, I like the fact that this is a trusted platform and that I know my money is safe with CM Trading.”

It’s obvious that this sponsorship is about so much more than just the sport to du Plessis.  “The Partnership with CM trading allows me to learn more and more about the art of trading and has helped me to set up options for additional income streams, which is obviously very important for a professional athlete. With these additional income streams in place, and with my knowledge of online trading growing daily, I can fulfil my dream and focus 100% of my time on becoming the best MMA athlete in the world.”

Finally, based on what he has learnt so far, he has some advice for friends and fans, “Number 1 – Learn to budget properly, stop overspending on material things, get a steady primary income and then learn to start adding additional income streams like trading forex. With CM Trading this has been so incredibly easy, I am already starting to reap the benefits.”

It’s staggering to think that forecasters have predicted that by 2025 the global cannabis industry is expected to reach $146 billion, with the total market value of the South African cannabis industry raking in about $1.8 billion. These are the numbers being lobbied around and South Africa’s forward-thinking stance towards the 5-pointed leaf sets it up nicely to become a major player in the international market.

Since its legalisation at the end of 2018, the cannabis industry has proven to be an emerging market, giving South Africa the opportunity to run with the big dogs in this exciting new growth sector. Tito Mboweni even went so far as to say that policy changes in the industry can very well result in a potential source of revenue for SA in his Budget Speech.

With Statistics SA recently revealing that unemployment is not on the decline, it certainly is an opportune time to unlock the economic benefits, as well as the resulting job creation opportunities, that this industry presents. According to the New Frontier Data report the annual cannabis consumption rate in Africa is 11.4% while the global average is only 6% which bodes well for one of their Sustainable Development Goals which is to “promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all”. The cannabis industry has the potential to create work opportunities for both low-skilled and high-skilled workers, it said, due to the fact that cannabis businesses will require management staff, administrative staff, manufacturing staff, agricultural operations and retail operations. In the United States, 321 744 jobs were created in the cannabis industry; and 35% were in retail operations.

So, with all the above in mind, the question at the forefront of every investors mind is whether or not to invest in the South African cannabis industry?

The collective word on the street is yes. If you’re looking to invest on the ground floor of one of the potentially largest markets globally, now’s the perfect time. Many companies are jumping on the cannabis bandwagon, one of which is CanbiGold, a South African holding company that has invested into several companies across the cannabis value chain and is offering early stage investors preferential share blocks at R500 000 per block. These are convertible at a 3 to 1 ratio once CanbiGold is listed. In Canada the listed cannabis sector has a market capitalisation of more than R500 billion. CanbiGold hopes to list on the Canadian Stock Exchange in the next 18 months to two years and possible a secondary listing on the ZAR X, a South African stock exchange. This is only one example of the investment opportunities that are budding across the sector.

Be wary of getting caught high and dry

As exciting as this whole new world of cannabis investment is, it’s important to not get caught up in the hype and invest without thinking. Right now, the buyers of cannabis shares are mesmerised by the potentially bright future that the landscape presents. Up until now, there hasn’t been any public cannabis related listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), yet. But that is set to change any day now. One of the biggest companies on the JSE by market capitalisation, Anheuser Busch is invested in the marijuana industry, and just like alcohol, the odds are that cannabis will sell, sending shares skyrocketing. But we do believe in the old adage of what goes up must come down, so maybe it might be pertinent to keep an eye on the market and see what happens as the legislation around the product changes. After all, you wouldn’t want to see your investment going up in smoke, would you? 

OPINION PIECE FROM CM TRADINGCONTRIBUTOR: DANIEL KIBEL, FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR CM TRADING

Sources

• http://www.capetalk.co.za/articles/338910/how-dagga-could-become-a-cash-cow-for-south-africa-s-economy
• https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2019-05-24-cannabis-can-create-jobs-and-grow-the-economy-new-report-argues/
• https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/547/192479.html
• https://www.thesouthafrican.com/news/cannabis-industry-welcomed-with-open-arms-by-city-of-cape-town/
• https://businesstech.co.za/news/business/323689/south-africa-is-on-the-cusp-of-its-own-booming-and-legal-cannabis-industry/
• https://www.businessinsider.co.za/prohibition-partners-report-on-cannabis-in-africa-raises-irrigation-and-hydroponics-concerns-2019-3
• https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/economy/a-considered-approach-to-cannabis-investment-26708473

Online trading. A concept that has literally thrust the financial world into the fast lane. But for most armchair investors putting the pedal to the metal to get in on the action of this online infobahn can seem extremely daunting, and without some expert guidance many just get left behind in the pits. With the right tools and support everyone can become a successful trader, but it is also important to continually sustain entrepreneurial growth. With this in mind, CM Trading are running an unprecedented campaign that allows all Business Referrers who introduce new clients to the world of online trading the chance to win a stunning BMW Z4! Yes, you read that right! Just by being a business referrer you could be burning rubber in your very own, very exotic BMW Z4.

CM Trading, an award-winning online trading company is committed to providing an essential investment service to clients who prefer an out-of-the-box approach to investment opportunities. With so many vehicles for financial growth accessible to South African investors, making responsible choices that yield tangible returns requires sound expertise from a partner with a vested interest in your long-term success.

Getting your position on the grid
Knowing just where to start is key to your investment growth. “Although a vast majority of people are familiar with online trading, very few understand exactly where to begin the process”, says Daniel Kibel, Founder and Director of CM Trading. “We are here to rev up the engines in the market. To offer the guidance, tools and support that will become the driving force that not only gets average South African’s into the investment game, but could potentially change one of their lives with our awesome prize.”

Most of us believe that in order to effectively trade, one needs to be an expert with a large sum of investment capital. But this notion has been debunked with their development of new and unique software solutions;  webinars, training videos and e-books – all for free.  “It is important to understand that anyone can become a trader through our unique website and easy to use and understand portals,” says Kibel, ”You don’t have to be a trading genius or have years of experience as a stock broker – we have created the platform to allow you to do it yourself.”

Put both hands on the wheel and take control of your finances
It is important to remember that you are in the driver seat when it comes to the performance of your investments. It’s a hard pill to swallow, but there is simply no quick fix when it comes to making money. It’s up to you to ensure that you’re aware of the risks, mindful of the markets ebb and flow and ultimately make the most out of the opportunity that sound investing offers. When asked if online investing is a savvy financial move, the only advice that Kibel could provide was none. “We are not here to offer investment advice. Our role is to provide our clients with the very best education and tools possible so that each and every one of our traders fulfil their full potential and trade like a pro. It’s a fact that money in the bank provides absolutely no value yield. The return that one can make through online share trading is so much more than the interest rate that the banks will offer you (on a fixed deposit from the major South African banks, the average rate is between nine and ten percent).  Responsible and expertly guided share trading can nett you so much more.”

Providing the driving force behind entrepreneurial growth
Online investment now truly is accessible to one and all. “This is an exciting time to invest. The markets are going wild with the Rand in its current state. Add to that the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, and the stage is set - with the market in a state of flux, one can be assured that there is money to be made”, concludes Kibel.

The crux of the matter is that when it comes to savvy investing, there is no checkered flag offering the sought-after podium finish. Constant warm up laps may be required; you may be forced to slow down and do an economy run every now and then; you will probably have to go up through the gears as you chase pole position… The only certainty is that the online trading circuit, and your navigation of it, is uncertain. It is essentially up to you to choose your team wisely. As the largest Forex broker in SA, and winners of the prestigious Best Performing Broker in Africa Award for the last three years, CM Trading provides a wealth of tools and resources at your fingertips because the better prepared you are, the better your trading performance will be.

To be a part of this incredible campaign to win a BMW Z4 visit www.cmtrading.com  or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

When trying to navigate the complex and often overwhelming web of forex trading, it is important to have a partner you can trust, one that can act quickly, efficiently and provide you with the best advice and products for your portfolio.  CM Trading is the company that offers its clients all this and more and has become the leading provider of derivative trading solutions to the local and international market.  

Since its establishment in 2012 CM Trading has built up a reputation for being able to answer its clients needs either personally, with the development of new and unique software solutions, or by providing webinars, training videos, technical analysis and e-books – all for free.  CM Trading’s aim is to make sure your individual trading goals are met in a responsible way. 

Offering a transparent trading environment to the retail market, CM Trading offers many services including:

• Guardian Angel – an intelligent automated trading assistant that encourages responsible trading
• Copy Kat – a social trading platform that allows traders to see what other traders are doing and then follow them/copy them as they see fit
• Trading Central – this is a leading market analysis website from which clients can glean information to help make informed decisions
• Live market summary
• Web trader

“Trading is a long-term activity, it’s best to not trade on emotions or beyond your means to ensure continued growth. At the end of the day you can’t change the volatility of the market, responsible trading will help make certain to protect you from it,” says Paul Venter Head of Business Development.

“CM Trading also offers support with the intricacies of Cryptocurrency trading.  This market is often complex and convoluted but it doesn’t have to be – it can be easy and enjoyable and can turn your world around – with the right tools and backing.  Even institutions have begun trading cryptocurrencies with CM Trading as they realise that this phenomenon has the potential to boost control of their trade.” 

An FSB-regulated company, CM Trading offers the best trading experience both locally and internationally and is a source of information and a conduit to successful trading on any and all trading platforms including: Forex Trading, CFD Trading, Stocks, Cryptocurrencies, Indicies Trading, Commodities Trading and Currency Trading. 

For more information on CM Trading please visit their website  https://www.cmtrading.com, or contact them on +27 10 500 80 26 or via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . You can also follow them on Twitter @CMTrading_FX and Facebook @CapitalMarketsTrading.