Inflation is at 3%. The Reserve Bank wants to lock it there. Interest rates are edging down. But the bigger picture is far from settled:

• Growth is stuck below 1%

• US tariffs threaten trade and jobs

• The rand’s strength rests on fragile global sentiment

• Consumers are squeezed and government finances remain stretched

In this episode of No Ordinary Wednesday, Jeremy Maggs speaks to Investec Chief Economist Annabel Bishop about the shifting sands of macroeconomic policy, and what it means for business, households and markets.

Podcast key moments:

00:00 – Introduction

01:16 - What’s behind the SARB’s shift in inflation targeting? And will it or not result in significant rates cut?

04:44 - What would be the key triggers for either accelerating or pausing rate cuts?

07:43 – What sectors are potential bright spots and which structural drags are most likely to keep the annual growth rate anchored near one percent?

11:12 - What scale of impact do you anticipate tariffs will have our growth, trade balance, and broader economic outlook?

13:59 – How resilient is the South African consumer, and where are we seeing the greatest pressure on household spending?

16:22 - The rand has found support from recent dollar weakness, but how much of this strength is simply global sentiment, and how much reflects genuine improvements in South Africa’s economic fundamentals?

18:44 - How would you characterise current financial-market sentiment towards South Africa?

23:29 - Which key economic indicators will you be tracking most closely in the coming months, and why do they matter for South Africa’s outlook?

Read more on www.investec.com/now

Hosted by seasoned broadcaster, Jeremy Maggs, the No Ordinary Wednesday podcast unpacks the latest economic, business and political news in South Africa, with an all-star cast of investment and wealth managers, economists and financial planners from Investec. Listen in every second Wednesday for an in-depth look at what's moving markets, shaping the economy, and changing the game for your wallet and your business. Investec Focus Radio SA

Inflation is picking up in the world’s leading economies, and while US inflation surprised on the downside, there are signs of inflationary pressures in other areas. According to Chris Holdsworth, Chief Investment Strategist, Investec Wealth & Investment International, it all points to some lively discussion at this week’s gathering of central bankers at Jackson Hole. Investec Focus Radio SA

Planning your next trip? Don’t leave home without comprehensive travel insurance, warn the experts. In this episode of Everything Counts, Motheo Khoaripe chats to Paolo Giuricich, head of Investec Travel, and Anrieth Symon, head of Travel at Bryte Insurance about the potential risks of relying solely on ‘free’ or ‘complimentary’ insurance when heading abroad.

Together, they break down why travel insurance isn’t just a “nice-to-have”, the difference between complimentary and comprehensive travel insurance, as well as what’s actually included in your policy.

So, when you’re planning an international adventure, don’t leave your peace of mind behind. This conversation will empower you to make informed, confident travel decisions.

00:00 Introduction

01:30 Why is travel insurance important?

02:30 What is comprehensive travel insurance?

04:45 Does travel insurance cover medical expenses?

06:00 Is travel insurance mandatory?

07:30 What should travel insurance cover?

10:30 Common travel insurance claims

14:00 What does travel insurance not cover?

15:00 Travel insurance exclusions

16:15 How pre-existing conditions affect your travel insurance

17:30 Travel insurance for seniors

18:30 What does travel insurance cost?

19:15 Complimentary vs comprehensive travel insurance

20:30 What does complimentary Investec travel insurance cover?

21:45 Medical travel insurance vs medical aid

25:10 When should you buy travel insurance?

26:00 Travel insurance for South Africans travelling locally

27:00 Conclusion Investec Focus Radio SA

Mixed signals persist for the US economy and its corporates. While there was a notable rebound in the composite PMI in July, there were contrasting outcomes across the different series, and bankruptcies are at five-year highs. Wall Street earnings have been strong, but share buybacks and insider buying also give a mixed message says Chris Holdsworth, Chief Investment Strategist, Investec Wealth & Investment International. Investec Focus Radio SA

What do the colours of a popular toothpaste tell us about how we think about wealth? In the latest episode of the No Ordinary Wednesday podcast, Alexandra Nortier and Marc Romberg, joint heads of Wealth Management at Investec Wealth & Investment International, join Jeremy Maggs to explore how the nature of wealth is changing.

Podcast key moments:

00:00 – Introduction

01:16 – Is there a fundamental shift in how ultra-high net worth individuals perceive wealth?

02:36 – A deeper framework to capture the full complexity of a client's financial life

05:37 – What does a humanised framework to wealth management mean?

09:56 – Security and peace of mind through a humanised framework

10:50 - What are your values and purpose of your wealth?

14:00 – In the age of AI and robo advice, the human role has never been more important

16:47 - How are older wealth creators managing the emotional complexities of relinquishing control?

20:22 - How do you balance the commercial imperatives of active portfolio management with a more reflective human led advisory approach?

Read more on www.investec.com/now

Hosted by seasoned broadcaster, Jeremy Maggs, the No Ordinary Wednesday podcast unpacks the latest economic, business and political news in South Africa, with an all-star cast of investment and wealth managers, economists and financial planners from Investec. Listen in every second Wednesday for an in-depth look at what's moving markets, shaping the economy, and changing the game for your wallet and your business. Investec Focus Radio SA

Despite a better-than-expected second-quarter GDP print, there are concerns about the US economy as high tariffs kick in and jobs growth stumbles. With nonfarm payrolls revised down sharply, markets now expect US rate cuts next month, despite sticky inflation says Chris Holdsworth, Chief Investment Strategist, Investec Wealth & Investment International. Investec Focus Radio SA

Everything Counts is a bi-weekly podcast series that dives into money and financial wellness, hosted by 702’s Motheo Khoaripe. Each episode unpacks practical aspects of personal finance-how to save, spend, invest, and make smart decisions to boost your financial wellbeing.

In this episode, Motheo explores the trend of unretirement, where people return to work after retiring or delay retirement past the age of 65. Join experts Kate Robson (co-head of Investec, My Investments) and Nicolette Mashile (award-winning financial literacy author also known as the ‘Financial Bunny’) as they discuss what’s driving the shift, the impact of poor savings habits, and why early retirement planning is essential.

Learn how financial advisers and tax professionals can help you navigate retirement income, tax implications, and the risks of outliving your retirement savings. Whether you’re planning ahead or already retired, discover practical tips to secure your financial future and make the most of your golden years.

00:00 Introduction

02:00 What is unretirement?

03:00 Why is unretirement becoming the norm?

05:40 Why you shouldn’t withdraw from your retirement savings

07:00 The value of compounding investments

08:00 How to match your current lifestyle in retirement

10:00 Why you need to start planning for retirement early

11:30 What does unretirement look like?

13:00 Unretirement opportunities

14:00 Unretirement and taxation

16:00 The value of a financial advisor in unretirement

17:45 Tax and unretirement

20:00 What happens when retirement funds run out?

21:15 Why you might not have enough saved for retirement

23:30 Make retirement savings a habit

24:30 Conclusion Investec Focus Radio SA

Despite the uncertainty about tariffs, equity markets have been strong around the world, putting the early April declines behind them. This has coincided with a weaker US dollar and a stronger gold price, says Chris Holdsworth, Chief Investment Strategist, Investec Wealth & Investment International. Investec Focus Radio SA

From AI-optimised shelf space to influencer-fuelled fast fashion, global consumer trends are in flux. Global Consumer Analyst at Investec UK, Eddy Hargreaves, joins No Ordinary Wednesday to explore retail innovation, brand strategy, and why selling to today’s cautious, connected shopper is trickier than ever.

Podcast key moments:

00:00 – Introduction

01:21 – Developed vs. emerging market consumers

02:32 – Inflation, discounts and luxury sales decline

05:05 – How tariffs affect pricing, brand perception and supply chains

07:28 – AI transforming retail

12:36 – Digital media, influencers and personalisation shift

13:07 – Personalisation data at scale

16:07 – Innovation vs. convenience

20:05 – Sustainability ethics under pressure

23:16 – What’s driving the demand for tailored products globally?

25:18 – Beverages and energy drinks markets growing

27:28 – Weight loss drugs reshaping food, apparel, and wellness sectors

31:54 – Temporary trends or structural shifts?

33:40 – Rise of Chinese brands

Read more on www.investec.com/now

Hosted by seasoned broadcaster, Jeremy Maggs, the No Ordinary Wednesday podcast unpacks the latest economic, business and political news in South Africa, with an all-star cast of investment and wealth managers, economists and financial planners from Investec. Listen in every second Wednesday for an in-depth look at what's moving markets, shaping the economy, and changing the game for your wallet and your business. Investec Focus Radio SA

US inflation appears to be heading to 3% by September, above the target rate of 2%. According to Chief Investment Strategist of Investec Wealth & Investment International Chris Holdsworth his may explain the Fed’s caution on interest rates, even as Fed chief Jerome Powell remains under pressure from President Donald Trump. Investec Focus Radio SA