Top 10 Shares to Buy on EasyEquities in South Africa (2026)
Top 10 Shares to Buy on EasyEquities in South Africa
Looking for the best shares to buy on EasyEquities? We analyze 10 top JSE shares and ETFs, including Shoprite and Satrix RESI, for growth, diversification, and value.
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Reading Time: 7 minutes
Introduction
EasyEquities has changed the game for South African investors. By offering fractional shares, it allows anyone to start investing with as little as R5, giving access to the JSE‘s best companies without needing to buy a whole share. But with hundreds of options, which are the best shares to buy on EasyEquities?
This guide breaks down 10 of the best shares and ETFs available on EasyEquities. Whether you want dividend income, commodity exposure, or diversified ETF growth, there is likely an option for you.
We look at:
- What each investment offers
- The risks involved
- Who it is best for
At a Glance: Top 10 EasyEquities Investments
| Rank | Share/ETF (Ticker) | Type | Focus | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shoprite Holdings (SHP) | Individual Share | SA Retail / Consumer Goods | Market leader, mass market focus |
| 2 | Sygnia Itrix MSCI Japan ETF (SYGJP) | International ETF | Japanese large & mid-cap stocks | Diversified global exposure |
| 3 | 1nvest Rhodium ETF (ETFRHO) | Commodity ETF | Physical rhodium | Rare industrial metal exposure |
| 4 | 1nvest Palladium ETF (ETFPLD) | Commodity ETF | Physical palladium | Industrial precious metal |
| 5 | Satrix RESI ETF (STXRES) | Local Sector ETF | Top 10 JSE resource companies | High-risk, high-reward resources |
| 6 | Satrix Inclusion & Diversity ETF (STXID) | Thematic ETF | Diverse & inclusive JSE firms | ESG & transformation focus |
| 7 | NEWFUNDS SHARIA TOP40 ETF (NFSH40) | Shariah-Compliant ETF | Top 40 Shariah-compliant JSE firms | Islamic finance principles |
| 8 | Satrix RAFI 40 ETF (STXRAF) | Fundamental Index ETF | Undervalued JSE companies | Value investing approach |
| 9 | Satrix FINI ETF (STXFIN) | Local Sector ETF | Top 15 JSE financial firms | Pure financial sector play |
| 10 | CoreShares SciBeta Multi-Factor ETF (SMART) | Multi-Factor ETF | Factor-based JSE companies | Diversified factor investing |
1. Shoprite Holdings Limited (SHP)
Ticker: SHP
Type: Individual Share (JSE)
Fund Size: R140.5 billion
Shoprite is South Africa’s largest supermarket retailer, with over 2,900 stores across 15 African countries. It dominates the mass-market grocery segment through brands like Shoprite, Checkers, and Usave.
Why consider SHP?
- Strong brand recognition and customer loyalty
- Extensive African footprint providing growth potential
- Consistent dividend payer
- Benefits from defensive consumer staples demand
Risks to watch:
- Exposure to economic downturns in African markets
- Currency fluctuations impacting profitability
- Intense competition from Pick n Pay, Spar, and Woolworths
Best for: Income-seeking investors who want exposure to SA’s mass-market consumer.
2. Sygnia Itrix MSCI Japan ETF (SYGJP)
Ticker: SYGJP
Type: International ETF
Expense Ratio: 0.86%
This ETF tracks the MSCI Japan Index, giving you access to around 200 of Japan’s largest and most liquid companies, including Toyota, Sony, and Nintendo.
Why consider SYGJP?
- Diversified exposure to the Japanese economy
- Trades on the JSE in rands – no need for a foreign account
- Provides geographic diversification outside SA
Risks to watch:
- Japanese Yen fluctuations impact returns in rands
- Tied to Japanese economic and political conditions
- Expense ratio of 0.86% is higher than some local ETFs
Best for: Investors looking to add developed Asian market exposure to their portfolio.
3. 1nvest Rhodium ETF (ETFRHO)
Ticker: ETFRHO
Type: Commodity ETF
Expense Ratio: 0.65%
Rhodium is a rare, silvery-white metal primarily used in catalytic converters to reduce vehicle emissions. It is significantly rarer than gold or platinum. This ETF is fully backed by physical rhodium.
Why consider ETFRHO?
- Direct exposure to rhodium price without storing the metal
- Very limited supply can lead to sharp price increases
- Low correlation to traditional stocks and bonds
Risks to watch:
- Extremely volatile – prices can spike or crash quickly
- Niche market with lower liquidity than gold or platinum
- Industrial demand dependent on auto sector
Best for: Speculative investors with high risk tolerance who want commodity exposure.
4. 1nvest Palladium ETF (ETFPLD)
Ticker: ETFPLD
Type: Commodity ETF
Expense Ratio: 0.65%
Palladium is another precious metal used mainly in catalytic converters for gasoline engines. South Africa is a major producer. This ETF is fully backed by physical palladium.
Why consider ETFPLD?
- Direct rand-based palladium price exposure
- Supply constraints can drive prices higher
- Industrial demand is strong from the auto sector
Risks to watch:
- High volatility – prices react to auto industry trends
- Shift towards electric vehicles could reduce long-term demand
- Niche market compared to gold
Best for: Investors wanting specific industrial metal exposure.
5. Satrix RESI ETF Portfolio (STXRES)
Ticker: STXRES
Type: Local Sector ETF
Expense Ratio: 0.44%
The Satrix RESI ETF tracks the FTSE/JSE Capped Resources 10 Index – the top 10 resource companies on the JSE by market cap. This gives concentrated exposure to mining and resource giants like Anglo American, Glencore, and Sasol.
Why consider STXRES?
- Direct play on SA’s resource sector
- High potential returns during commodity booms
- Low expense ratio (0.44%)
Risks to watch:
- Very concentrated (only 10 companies)
- Extremely volatile – commodity prices and global demand drive returns
- Currency sensitive (most resources priced in dollars)
Best for: Aggressive investors wanting leveraged exposure to resources.
6. Satrix Inclusion & Diversity ETF (STXID)
Ticker: STXID
Type: Thematic ESG ETF
Expense Ratio: 0.46%
This ETF tracks the 30 most inclusive and diverse companies on the JSE, scored on metrics including gender split, BEE compliance, disability employment, and workplace policies. Top holdings include Woolworths, Nedbank, and British American Tobacco.
Why consider STXID?
- Aligns with ESG and responsible investing goals
- Evidence suggests diverse companies can outperform over time
- Unique South African transformation focus
Risks to watch:
- Smaller fund size (R16.5 million) – lower liquidity
- Thematic ETFs can underperform broader market
- Subjective index methodology
Best for: Values-driven investors with a long-term horizon.
7. NEWFUNDS SHARIA TOP40 ETF (NFSH40)
Ticker: NFSH40
Type: Shariah-Compliant ETF
Expense Ratio: 0.55%
This ETF tracks the FTSE/JSE Shari’ah Top 40 Index, which excludes companies involved in alcohol, gambling, pork, conventional financial services, and weapons. It offers a way to invest in the JSE’s large caps while adhering to Islamic principles.
Why consider NFSH40?
- Shariah-compliant for Muslim investors
- Still tracks the largest JSE companies (minus excluded sectors)
- Established fund with R10.8 billion in assets
Risks to watch:
- Excludes banking giants like FirstRand and Standard Bank
- May have different performance characteristics than the standard Top 40
- Expense ratio of 0.55% is moderate
Best for: Investors seeking Shariah-compliant JSE exposure.
8. Satrix RAFI 40 Portfolio (STXRAF)
Ticker: STXRAF
Type: Fundamental Index ETF
Expense Ratio: 0.44%
Instead of weighting companies by market cap, the RAFI (Research Affiliates Fundamental Index) weights them by fundamentals: sales, cash flow, book value, and dividends. This method targets potentially undervalued companies.
Why consider STXRAF?
- Value-oriented approach – avoids overpaying for hype
- Low expense ratio (0.44%)
- Well-established with over R1.2 billion in assets
Risks to watch:
- Can underperform traditional cap-weighted indexes for years
- Higher turnover than a standard Top 40 ETF
- RAFI methodology is less familiar to some investors
Best for: Value investors believing fundamentals beat market-cap weighting.
9. Satrix FINI Portfolio (STXFIN)
Ticker: STXFIN
Type: Local Sector ETF
Expense Ratio: 0.44%
This ETF tracks the FTSE/JSE Financial 15 Index, giving concentrated exposure to South Africa’s largest financial companies, including banks, insurers, and investment firms.
Why consider STXFIN?
- Pure play on SA financial sector
- Banks can benefit from rising interest rates
- Low expense ratio (0.44%)
Risks to watch:
- High concentration risk (one sector, 15 companies)
- Sensitive to economic cycles and loan defaults
- Heavily influenced by SA’s economic growth
Best for: Investors who are bullish on SA’s financial sector specifically.
10. CoreShares SciBeta Multi-Factor ETF (SMART)
Ticker: SMART
Type: Multi-Factor ETF
Expense Ratio: 0.65%
This ETF uses a multi-factor model (value, momentum, quality, low volatility) to select JSE-listed companies. It aims to outperform a traditional market-cap weighted index by targeting specific stock characteristics.
Why consider SMART?
- Diversified exposure across factors that have historically outperformed
- Reduces single-stock or single-factor risk
- R1.5 billion fund size – decent liquidity
Risks to watch:
- Factor premiums can disappear for long periods
- Higher fees (0.65%) than basic Top 40 ETFs
- Complex strategy may be hard for beginners to understand
Best for: Experienced investors seeking a sophisticated, hands-off strategy.
Quick Comparison: Individual Share vs ETFs on EasyEquities
| Feature | Individual Share (e.g., Shoprite) | ETF (e.g., Satrix RESI) |
|---|---|---|
| Company exposure | Single company | Basket of companies |
| Risk level | Higher (company-specific) | Lower (diversified) |
| Research required | Extensive | Moderate |
| Dividends | Direct from one company | Collection of dividends from holdings |
| Control | Full control over each investment | No control over ETF’s holdings |
| Best for | Conviction picks, dividend income | Broad sector or market exposure |
How to Buy Shares on EasyEquities (Quick Steps)
- Open an account on the EasyEquities website or app (free to sign up).
- Complete the registration form (FICA documents required).
- Fund your account via EFT, credit card, or instant EFT.
- Search for the share/ETF using its name or ticker (e.g., SHP, STXRES).
- Enter the amount in rands you want to invest (fractional shares allowed).
- Review and place your order.
Key Risks of Investing via EasyEquities
| Risk | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Market volatility | Share prices go up and down; you can lose money |
| Company-specific risk | A single company’s bad news can sink its share price |
| Currency risk | International investments (like SYGJP) are affected by the rand/dollar rate |
| Liquidity risk | Some ETFs (like STXID) have small fund sizes and may be harder to sell quickly |
| Concentration risk | Sector ETFs (like STXFIN) suffer if that entire sector struggles |
Which Investment Is Right for You?
I want stable dividends and a well-known SA brand → Shoprite (SHP)
I want cheap, diversified global exposure → Sygnia Japan ETF (SYGJP)
I want to speculate on industrial metal prices → 1nvest Rhodium (ETFRHO) or Palladium (ETFPLD)
I want a high-risk bet on SA mining → Satrix RESI (STXRES)
I want to invest in inclusive, responsible companies → Satrix Inclusion & Diversity (STXID)
I need Shariah-compliant JSE exposure → NEWFUNDS SHARIA TOP40 (NFSH40)
I prefer value investing over market-cap weighting → Satrix RAFI 40 (STXRAF)
I am bullish on SA banks and insurers → Satrix FINI (STXFIN)
I want a sophisticated, hands-off multi-factor approach → CoreShares SMART (SMART)
Final Word
EasyEquities has democratised investing in South Africa. Fractional shares mean you can start investing in quality companies like Shoprite or diversified ETFs like the Satrix RESI with whatever amount you have.
Key takeaways:
- Diversify – Don’t put all your money in one share or one sector.
- Match investments to your goals – Income, growth, or speculation?
- Know your risk tolerance – Resources ETFs are volatile; Shoprite is defensive.
- Use ETFs for broad exposure – They are cheaper and safer than picking individual shares.
- Start small, invest regularly – Time in the market beats timing the market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy fractional shares on EasyEquities?
Yes. You can invest any amount in rands and own a fraction of a share. This makes high-priced shares accessible.
What is the minimum deposit for EasyEquities?
There is no minimum deposit. You can start investing with as little as R5.
Are ETFs better than individual shares on EasyEquities?
It depends. ETFs offer instant diversification and lower risk. Individual shares offer higher potential returns but with higher risk. Many investors use both.
Does EasyEquities charge monthly fees?
EasyEquities has a very low fee structure. There is a small platform fee for holdings, but it is among the cheapest in South Africa.
Can I invest in international shares on EasyEquities?
Yes, EasyEquities offers USD accounts to invest in US shares and some international ETFs like SYGJP.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Investing in shares and ETFs carries risk, including the potential loss of capital. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions.
