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ACCOUNTS
Unit Trusts
A unit trust (or fund) is a very popular investment account that you can use to grow your money to meet your investment goals.
Various types of unit trusts exist, each designed to meet a different investment need and risk appetite.
How it works
You can start investing in a Coronation unit trust from as little as R500 a month, or with a once-off lump sum of R5,000 – all through our easy-to-use Invest Now online process.
Choose the right fund
The first step is to select a fund that aligns with your investment goal – whether you're saving for retirement, a child’s education, or simply looking to grow your wealth over time.
Invest online
Once you've chosen your fund, complete our secure Invest Now application and decide how much you'd like to contribute and how often – monthly, once-off, or both.
Leave it to the professionals
By investing in a unit trust, you hand over the day-to-day investment decisions to our experienced team of professional fund managers. They actively research, select, and manage the investments on your behalf.
Enjoy the benefits of collective investing
When you invest in a fund, your money is pooled with that of other investors, giving you access to a broader range of investments – including those that may be out of reach for individual investors.
Why a Coronation Unit Trust makes sense for you
Our goal is simple: to earn your trust by delivering strong, long-term investment performance.
Here’s why a Coronation Unit Trust is a smart choice:
Proven long-term performance
We have a compelling 30-year track record of delivering market-beating returns across multiple market cycles.
Deep investment expertise
Our team of over 50 investment professionals brings extensive experience in both local and global markets, giving you access to world-class insights and research.
Funds to suit your goals
Whether you're saving for the long term, seeking income, or looking to grow your wealth, we offer a broad range of unit trusts designed to meet most investor needs.
World-class client service
Enjoy support from our friendly client service team whenever you need it, along with 24/7 access to our advanced digital investment platform to monitor and manage your investments.
When you invest with Coronation, you're partnering with a team that puts your interests first, with a singular focus on growing and protecting your wealth.
What are the benefits and restrictions?
Here’s a summary of the key benefits and limitations of a unit trust investment.
Benefits
- Pooled money: Your investment amount is combined with other investors in a single fund, increasing access to financial markets and certain instruments
- Professionally managed: Instrument selection and daily monitoring happens on your behalf
- Highly regulated: Strict rules exist around transparency and investor protection within a unit trust
- Variety: Different types of unit trusts exist to meet different investor needs
- Liquidity: Withdrawals only take a few days to process
- Flexibility: Invest more, pause or withdraw when you need to
- Diversification: Your investment is spread across multiple instruments to reduce risk
- Tax-efficient: Only pay capital gains tax when you withdraw
- Heritable: Upon death, the ownership of your units can transfer to the named beneficiaries of your estate
Restrictions
- Control: You do not have direct control over the assets held within your fund
- Market and portfolio risk: The value of your units may decline during periods of market downturns or when portfolio holdings perform poorly
- Creditors: Your unit trust investments are not protected from creditors
Choosing the right fund
A critical step towards achieving your financial objective is to match your investment need with a fund that suits your investment time horizon and tolerance for risk (how much market volatility you can handle).
Investing for long-term growth
Long-term investors typically have a time horizon of more than five years, seek maximum long-term returns and are prepared to withstand short-term market turbulence to achieve their long-term objective.
The following popular Coronation funds invest either solely or mostly in equities, the asset class with the best possibility of delivering inflation-beating returns over the long term.
Popular choice
Market Plus
This fund is for long-term investors who want to grow their savings meaningfully. It invests in a wide range of local and global assets (shares, bonds, property, and cash) to capture the best growth opportunities. Its growth asset bias makes it a suitable unit trust fund choice for long-term investors.
- Invests across shares, bonds, property, and cash, locally and offshore
- Equity-biased for higher long-term growth potential
- Ideal for wealth builders not bound by retirement fund regulations
Risk rating
Minimum investment term
5 years +
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Market Plus
The fund aims to maximise long-term investment growth, at lower levels of risk than a fund that is only invested in shares.
Investor profile
The fund is suitable for investors: Building up long-term capital outside of a retirement fund. Requiring a somewhat aggressive capital growth portfolio. Looking to preserve the purchasing power of their capital over the long term. With a time horizon of five years or longer. The fund is not suitable to highly risk-averse investors
Benchmark
CPI + 5%
Risk rating
Minimum investment term
5 years +
Exposure to growth assets
Maximum: 85%
Annualised past performance (after fees)
| Returns | Fund | CPI + 5% | PEER GROUP AVERAGE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Since Launch (unannualised) | 2,663.3% | 1,030.4% | 1,565.5% |
| Since Launch (annualised) | 14.7% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| Latest 20 years (annualised) | 12.4% | 10.4% | 10.9% |
| Latest 15 years (annualised) | 11.7% | 10.0% | 10.4% |
| Latest 10 years (annualised) | 10.4% | 9.8% | 8.5% |
| Latest 5 years (annualised) | 16.1% | 9.9% | 13.6% |
| Latest 3 years (annualised) | 19.5% | 9.1% | 15.2% |
| Latest 1 year | 18.6% | 8.1% | 15.0% |
| Year to date | 15.8% | 6.9% | 14.1% |
Equity
This fund is for investors who want to grow their wealth over the long term and are comfortable with full equity exposure. It invests mainly in JSE-listed shares, with selective offshore exposure for added opportunity and diversification.
- Invests mainly in JSE-listed shares, with some global equity exposure
- Tailored for investors focused on building wealth and comfortable with full equity exposure
- Ideal as a standalone equity fund
Risk rating
Minimum investment term
5 years +
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Equity
The Equity Fund seeks to maximise long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in a broad spectrum of listed equities.
Investor profile
The fund is suitable for investors who are building wealth, and who are comfortable with a large exposure to shares listed in South Africa and do not require an income in the short term. The fund is less concentrated than the Coronation Top 20 Fund, making it more suitable for investors holding only one equity fund.The fund may underperform the market in the short term in pursuit of superior long-term gains.
Benchmark
Composite: 87.5% SA equity, 12.5% International equity
Risk rating
Minimum investment term
5 years +
Exposure to growth assets
Maximum: 100%
Annualised past performance (after fees)
| Returns | Fund | BENCHMARK | PEER GROUP AVERAGE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Since Launch (unannualised) | 6,179.9% | 3,697.0% | 3,053.1% |
| Since Launch (annualised) | 15.1% | 13.2% | 12.4% |
| Latest 20 years (annualised) | 13.2% | 13.6% | 10.5% |
| Latest 15 years (annualised) | 12.4% | 13.1% | 9.6% |
| Latest 10 years (annualised) | 11.3% | 11.8% | 8.4% |
| Latest 5 years (annualised) | 17.3% | 18.4% | 15.7% |
| Latest 3 years (annualised) | 23.3% | 21.8% | 17.2% |
| Latest 2 years (annualised) | 27.9% | 26.0% | 19.9% |
| Latest 1 year | 34.9% | 26.9% | 18.5% |
| Year to date | 24.2% | 28.1% | 19.6% |
Global Optimum Growth [ZAR] Feeder
This fund is for long-term investors seeking offshore diversification and maximum growth while their investment stays in rands. It invests in Coronation’s best local and international ideas across asset classes, but with a strong equity bias.
- Primarily invested in shares, but can include property, bonds, and cash
- A flexible mandate that adjusts asset and geographic exposure based on value
- Ideal for wealth-builders comfortable with broad discretion in asset and regional allocation
Risk rating
Minimum investment term
10 years +
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Global Optimum Growth [ZAR] Feeder
The fund aims to maximise long-term investment growth by investing in a globally diversified portfolio with exposure to both developed and emerging markets across multiple asset classes. Our intent is to provide competitive after inflation returns over all five-year periods.
Investor profile
The fund is suitable for investors: Looking for a balanced exposure to both domestic and international assets. Who are comfortable to grant Coronation a wide degree of discretion. Who are in their wealth build-up phase and require little income yield in the short term. Who are able to withstand short-term market and currency fluctuations in pursuit of maximum total returns over the long term. Who intends following a core/satellite approach, using this fund as a core fund.
Benchmark
Composite: 35% MSCI World Daily Total Net Return Index, 35% MSCI Global Emerging Markets Daily Total Net Return Index, and 30% Bloomberg Global Aggregate Bond Total Return Index Unhedged USD
Risk rating
Minimum investment term
10 years +
Exposure to growth assets
Maximum: 100%
Annualised past performance (after fees)
| Returns | Fund | BENCHMARK | OUTPERFORMANCE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Since Launch (unannualised) | 2,613.9% | 1,569.4% | 1,044.6% |
| Since Launch (annualised) | 13.3% | 11.2% | 2.1% |
| Latest 20 years (annualised) | 11.6% | 11.7% | (0.1)% |
| Latest 15 years (annualised) | 13.5% | 12.2% | 1.3% |
| Latest 10 years (annualised) | 11.2% | 9.9% | 1.3% |
| Latest 5 years (annualised) | 7.1% | 10.3% | (3.2)% |
| Latest 3 years (annualised) | 20.7% | 14.7% | 6.0% |
| Latest 2 years (annualised) | 20.2% | 13.2% | 7.1% |
| Latest 1 year | 25.2% | 13.1% | 12.1% |
| Year to date | 18.7% | 8.4% | 10.3% |
Investing for income and growth
Income and growth investors typically have a need for income in the short term and capital growth over the long term. They may also be long-term growth investors but with a lower tolerance for volatility.
The following popular Coronation income-and-growth funds are managed to balance exposure to income and growth assets, while still delivering inflation-beating returns.
Popular choice
Capital Plus
This fund is for long-term investors seeking steady, inflation-beating growth with less volatility than a typical balanced fund. It invests across shares, bonds, property, and cash — locally and offshore — while prioritising consistent returns and a smoother journey through market cycles.
- Aims for steady medium- to long-term growth with less volatility than typical balanced funds
- Diversified across shares, bonds, property, and cash, locally and offshore
- Regulation 28 compliant
Risk rating
Minimum investment term
3 years +
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Capital Plus
The fund is in the first instance managed to achieve reasonable investment growth over the medium to long term. Our intent is that the fund should produce an annualised return of at least inflation plus 4% over time. In addition, we aim to achieve less volatility than the average balanced fund. It is specifically managed to suit investors who want to draw an income over an extended period of time.
Investor profile
The fund is suitable for investors: Seeking a risk-conscious investment solution enabling an annual income drawdown over an extended period of time. Requiring a reasonable rate of real return over investment horizons of between 3 and 5 years, achieved at less volatility than that of the average balanced. When your objective is to accumulate capital over the long term, the fund is only suitable if a strong focus on managing downside risk and volatility is a priority. This fund can invest in a wide range of assets, such as shares, bonds, listed property and cash, both in South Africa and internationally, in a manner similar to that usually employed by retirement funds.
Benchmark
CPI + 4% p.a.
Risk rating
Minimum investment term
3 years +
Exposure to growth assets
Maximum: 75%
Annualised past performance (after fees)
| Returns | Fund | CPI | REAL RETURN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Since Launch (unannualised) | 1,302.5% | 267.8% | 1,034.7% |
| Since Launch (annualised) | 11.5% | 5.5% | 6.0% |
| Latest 20 years (annualised) | 10.1% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
| Latest 15 years (annualised) | 9.2% | 5.0% | 4.2% |
| Latest 10 years (annualised) | 8.6% | 4.8% | 3.8% |
| Latest 5 years (annualised) | 13.3% | 4.9% | 8.4% |
| Latest 3 years (annualised) | 17.2% | 4.1% | 13.1% |
| Latest 1 year | 18.8% | 3.1% | 15.7% |
| Year to date | 14.7% | 3.1% | 11.6% |
Balanced Defensive
This fund is for investors seeking steady growth while protecting their capital. It invests in a cautious mix of shares, bonds, property, and cash — locally and globally — while prioritising low volatility.
- Seeks to protect capital over any 12-month period
- Up to 50% in growth assets
- Regulation 28 compliant
Risk rating
Minimum investment term
3 years +
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Balanced Defensive
The fund is in the first instance managed to protect capital over any twelve-month period. In addition, we aim to achieve reasonable investment growth over the long run. It is specifically managed to suit very cautious investors who want to draw an income over an extended period of time.
Investor profile
The fund is suitable for investors: Seeking a defensive investment solution enabling an annual income drawdown. Requiring a reasonable rate of return over investment horizons of 3 years and longer. With a low tolerance for the volatility of returns associated with equity investing. This fund is not suitable for investors seeking to aggressively accumulate capital over an extended period of time.
Benchmark
CPI + 3% p.a
Risk rating
Minimum investment term
3 years +
Exposure to growth assets
Maximum: 50%
Annualised past performance (after fees)
| Returns | Fund | CPI | REAL RETURN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Since Launch (unannualised) | 445.0% | 171.5% | 273.5% |
| Since Launch (annualised) | 9.6% | 5.5% | 4.0% |
| Latest 15 years (annualised) | 9.5% | 5.0% | 4.4% |
| Latest 10 years (annualised) | 8.5% | 4.8% | 3.7% |
| Latest 5 years (annualised) | 11.3% | 4.9% | 6.4% |
| Latest 3 years (annualised) | 14.6% | 4.1% | 10.5% |
| Latest 1 year | 15.7% | 3.1% | 12.6% |
| Year to date | 11.9% | 3.1% | 8.8% |
Total investment value
Annualised return
Investing for income
Income investors typically have a short investment horizon and a low tolerance for volatility. They are looking to earn a better return than a bank deposit and do not want to risk losing capital.
The following popular Coronation income funds invest mostly or solely in income assets and are managed conservatively to protect capital in the short term.
Popular choice
Strategic Income
This fund is for investors seeking reliable income and better returns than cash over the short- to medium-term. It invests in a mix of bonds, inflation-linked bonds, and cash — locally and globally — to deliver steady income and preserve capital with limited volatility.
- Seeks higher returns than traditional money market or income funds
- Invests in cash, bonds, inflation-linked bonds, and property, locally and globally
- Ideal for investors seeking an alternative to cash or bank deposits over 12–36 months
Risk rating
Minimum investment term
1 - 3 years
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Strategic Income
Our flagship managed income fund, allocating across the yielding asset classes.
Investor profile
The fund is suitable for investors who are: Looking for an intelligent alternative to cash or bank deposits over periods from 12 to 36 months. Seeking managed exposure to income generating investments. Believers in the benefits of active management within the fixed interest universe.
Benchmark
110% of the STeFI 3-month Index
Risk rating
Minimum investment term
1 - 3 years
Exposure to growth assets
Maximum: 10%
Annualised past performance (after fees)
| Returns | Fund | BENCHMARK | OUTPERFORMANCE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Since Launch (unannualised) | 833.0% | 556.5% | 276.5% |
| Since Launch (annualised) | 9.6% | 8.1% | 1.6% |
| Latest 20 years (annualised) | 8.7% | 7.5% | 1.2% |
| Latest 15 years (annualised) | 8.3% | 6.7% | 1.6% |
| Latest 10 years (annualised) | 8.1% | 7.1% | 1.0% |
| Latest 5 years (annualised) | 8.7% | 6.8% | 1.9% |
| Latest 3 years (annualised) | 11.1% | 8.5% | 2.6% |
| Latest 1 year | 10.1% | 8.3% | 1.8% |
| Year to date | 7.9% | 6.1% | 1.9% |
SA Income
This fund is for investors seeking a conservative alternative to bank deposits through a low-risk, locally-focused investment. It invests in South African bonds, inflation-linked bonds, and cash to provide reliable income and stability.
- Seeks higher returns than traditional money market or income funds
- Invests in cash, bonds, inflation-linked bonds, and property, locally only
- Ideal for investors seeking an alternative to cash or bank deposits over 6–36 months
Risk rating
Minimum investment term
12 months +
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SA Income
The fund aims to achieve a higher return than a traditional money market or pure income fund that invests in South African assets.
Investor profile
The fund is suitable for investors who are: Looking for an intelligent alternative to cash or bank deposits over periods from 6 to 36 months. Seeking managed exposure to South African income generating investments. Believers in the benefits of active management within the fixed interest universe. Does not have appetite for exposure to offshore assets. The fund is particularly suited to those who require exposure to South African interest bearing securities as part of a diversified portfolio.
Benchmark
Alexander Forbes STeFI Composite Index
Risk rating
Minimum investment term
12 months +
Exposure to growth assets
Maximum: 0%
Annualised past performance (after fees)
| Returns | Fund | BENCHMARK | OUTPERFORMANCE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Since Launch (unannualised) | 18.0% | 15.4% | 2.6% |
| Since Launch (annualised) | 9.5% | 8.1% | 1.3% |
| Latest 1 year | 8.8% | 7.8% | 1.0% |
| Year to date | 7.0% | 5.7% | 1.3% |
Total investment value
Annualised return
Popular funds
See all popular Coronation unit trust funds.
Invest Now
Experienced investors or those who prefer to build a custom portfolio can use our Invest Now process designed to meet every need.
Investment quote
Create a summary of your prospective investment. This is a useful document for comparisons prior to investing.
Accounts
You can invest in a unit trust directly, or through a special investment account that offers tax benefits and other advantages, though these accounts come with certain restrictions.
Tax-Free Investment
Use your tax-free allowance of up to R36,000 per year to invest in a range of suitable Coronation unit trusts.
Retirement Annuity
Save for retirement tax-efficiently through the Coronation Retirement Annuity.
Living Annuity
Draw an income in retirement with a Coronation Living annuity where no tax is payable on any investment gains.
Frequently asked questions
Each fund has an annual management fee, which covers professional investment management and administration. All fees are fully disclosed on each fund's fact sheet and on our website.
We don’t charge any initial, account, or transaction fees. Your full investment goes into buying units in your chosen fund. If you have a financial adviser and agree to a fee with them, we can deduct it from your account and pay it directly to your adviser.
When you invest in a unit trust, you buy “units” that represent your share of the fund. The unit price is set once a day, based on the value of the fund’s investments.
Valuations take place every business day at around 15h00. Transactions received before the daily cut-off are processed at that day’s price.
You can view the latest prices and distributions for all our funds on our Fund Prices and Distributions page.
Instructions before cut-off
If Coronation receives your instruction to invest, withdraw, or switch before 2pm (the daily cut-off time for all funds except Money Market, which has a 12pm cut-off), the transaction will be processed at that same day’s closing unit price.
Instructions after cut-off
If your instruction arrives after the cut-off time, it will be processed at the next business day’s price.
Proof of payment
For investments, your proof of payment must also reach us before cut-off to be included in that day’s price.
Selling units for income
You can choose to receive a fixed rand amount on a regular basis by selling units in your fund. Capital Gains Tax may apply if those units are sold at a higher price than you paid for them.
Taking distributions as income
Instead of reinvesting the income distributions from our income funds, you can have them paid out to you. These payments will fluctuate, as they depend on the distributions made by the fund.
Distribution schedules
- Coronation Money Market Fund: pays monthly
-
Coronation Strategic Income Fund: pays quarterly (Mar/Jun/Sep/Dec)
- Coronation Balanced Defensive Fund: pays quarterly (Mar/Jun/Sep/Dec)
-
Coronation Capital Plus Fund: pays quarterly (Mar/Jun/Sep/Dec)
If you sell within three years
SARS may treat your gain as trading income. This will be taxed at your marginal rate if you are an individual, or at 27% if you are a company.
If you sell after three years
Any gain or loss will be included in your capital gains tax calculation. Coronation issues an IT3(c) certificate at the end of each tax year showing realised gains or losses. This must be included in your annual tax return.
Tax certificates
You can also generate provisional tax certificates online for any period you choose.
If you invest in a unit trust via a Coronation Tax-Free Investment
No tax applies to growth, interest, or dividends, provided you remain within the limits of R36 000 a year and R500 000 over your lifetime. Contributions above these limits will attract a 40% penalty tax.
Dividends
Generally subject to dividend withholding tax, which Coronation pays over to SARS on your behalf.
Interest (local and foreign)
Taxed at your marginal rate. In the case of foreign income, foreign taxes may also apply.
Tax certificates
At the end of each tax year, Coronation issues an IT3(b) certificate showing the distributions paid to you. These must be included in your annual tax return. If you need a statement sooner, you can generate a provisional certificate online.
Tax-Free Investment
No tax applies to income or growth, provided you stay within the annual and lifetime limits.
Log in at www.coronation.com/secure/. Once signed in, select Reports from the menu, then choose “Income Tax Certificate” and follow the step-by-step wizard.
The value of your unit trust investment may go up or down depending on the markets. This means your investment is not guaranteed, and you may get back less than you invested. Each fund carries a different level of risk, which you can read more about on the individual fund fact sheet.
Your unit trust investment will form part of your estate and will be distributed according to your will, or if you do not have a will, under South African intestate succession law.
Yes, you can.