Page 63 - 2021 Issue 2

Profile’s Stock Exchange Handbook: 2021 – Issue 2 JSE Dealing Costs

JSE Dealing Costs

JSE Dealing Costs
AstheJSEgrowssothecostofbuyingandsellingsharescontinuestocomedownasthefixedcostsofbrokers
and the exchange are spread out over more transactions.
Brokerage
Brokerage charged by stockbrokers varies from 0.32% to 1.70% of the value of the transaction. There is
also a clear distinction made between the fees of discount brokers and full service stockbrokers. Discount
brokers are usually online brokers and offer clients low brokerage fees and give recommendations on what
shares to buy or sell via their website. Full service stockbrokers have much higher brokerage and administra-
tion fees. They provide advice on what shares to buy or sell via the telephone and usually provide a dedicated
portfolio advisor to their clients.
Somebrokerschargebrokeragefeesasaflatpercentageofthesizeofthetrade.Othersapplyaslidingscalethat
decreases the percentage charged as the value of the deal increases. Most brokerage charges are subject to a
minimumfee(eg.onediscountbrokerchargesR99exclVatwhilstanotherfullservicebrokerchargesaminimum
of R180). Note that brokerage is usually quoted before Vat as there are other transaction costs associated with a
trade that are subject to Vat (see below) and a total Vat amount is calculated on all these charges together.
For equity transactions above R18 000 all inclusive round trip costs are typically below 2% via a discount
broker which is relatively cheap compared to unit trusts, property and many other investment alternatives. For
trading in warrants, where minimum brokerage often applies, the cost effective floor level is obviously lower.
Comparison of trade costs: R18 000 transaction:
Equity Trade Warrant Trade TFIA Equity Trade
Buy Sell Buy Sell Buy Sell
Cost of Shares R18 000.00 R18 000.00 R18 000.00 R18 000.00 R18 000.00 R18 000.00
Brokerage Fee R110.00 R110.00 R50.00 R50.00 R45.00 R45.00
Strate R9.17 R9.17 R9.17 R9.17 R3.97 R3.97
STT* R45.00 * * * * *
IPL R0.04 R0.04 R0.04 R0.04 R0.04 R0.04
Vat R17.13 R17.13 R8.88 R8.88 R7.35 R7.35
Total Fees R176.34 R131.34 R68.09 R68.09 R56.36 R56.36
Total Transaction R18 176.34 R18 131.34 R18 068.09 R18 068.09 R18 056.36 R18 056.36
Dealing cost percentage 0.970% 0.724% 0.377% 0.377% 0.312% 0.312%
Based on Standard Online Share Trading fees. *Purchase transactions of equities attract Securities
Transfer Tax (STT) of 0.25% of the value of the trade in addition to the amounts shown above.
Administration fees
Most brokerage firms charge a monthly administration fee designed to cover account administration, im-
plementation of corporate actions (share splits, payments of dividends, etc.) and so on. For discount brokers
this fee may also includeaccessto an online trading facility,live shareprices,fundamentaldata (suchas in this
book) and research. Full service brokers may charge an administration fee as a percentage of the value
invested. For discount brokers monthly fees vary from as little as R110.00 (including Vat) to R210 depending
on the services provided.
Regulatory and other costs
In addition to brokerage, the JSE levies the STRATE Settlement Costs, calculated as 0.005787% of the JSE
transaction value (minimum of R9.17, maximum R80.84), and an Investor Protection Levy (0.0002% of the
transaction value), designed to finance insider-trading investigations. Vat of 15% is payable on all these DEALING
charges as well on the brokerage fee.
Tax Free Investment Accounts
Since the introduction of Tax Free Investment Accounts in the Finance Minister’s 2015 Budget Speech, COSTS
many brokerage firms have introduced them into their offerings. The benefit of these accounts is that all
proceeds from investments are tax-free. To make theseevenmoreappealingthe JSEand STRATE have
reduced their costs, which in turn have allowed brokerages to reduce the fees they charge their clients.
Standard OST operates TFIA accounts at a specially reduced brokerage rate of 0.15% + an annual safe
custody fee, charged on a monthly basis, and allows for trade in all tax-free approved Exchange Traded
Funds. The standard TFIA brokerage fee is 0.25%, no minimums apply.
Online Share Trading operated by SBG Securities (Pty) Ltd.
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