STANLIB Podcasts

The US economy continues to add jobs, with unemployment falling to 4.1% and little evidence that AI is reducing employment. In South Africa, the local government election results point to a changing political landscape and the possibility of municipal coalitions across several provinces.

In this podcast, STANLIB Chief Economist Kevin Lings examines the latest US labour market and employment data, the impact of AI on jobs, and what South Africa’s election results could mean for coalition governments and service delivery.

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, discusses the areas of strength and weakness in US GDP growth of 3.4% in Q3 2026, which was relatively broad-based. He also explores why the Fed decided to hold interest rates unchanged. Kevin discusses Stats SA’s re-basing and recalculation of GDP, which shows the economy was 5.3% bigger than previously estimated in 2025, largely due to the inclusion of illegal and informal activities.

South Africa has the private capital to fund its infrastructure ambitions, but can it create enough credible, investable projects? In this episode of STANLIB Corporate Conversations, Charlene Klöhn, Head of Corporate Cash Solutions, speaks with Tracy Spence, Head of Institutional Distribution at STANLIB Asset Management, about how private capital can support the country's next wave of investment in energy, water, transport and logistics. They explore why policy certainty and effective execution matter, and what infrastructure development means for corporate treasurers, finance teams and long-term economic growth.

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, analyses the details behind SA’s below-expectation increase in inflation in September, to an annual rate of 4.5% from 4.4%. While fuel inflation is 27.9% y/y, it has not yet fed into other categories – e.g. food inflation is only 1% y/y, though with upward risks from an El Niño season. Still, the SA Reserve Bank may increase rates to limit second-round effects, Kevin says.

STANLIB Asset Management (Pty) Ltd is an authorised Financial Services Provider in terms of the FAIS Act. This should not be construed as advice.

In this podcast, Sylvester Kobo, Deputy Head of Fixed Income at STANLIB Asset Management, summarises the main points of interest in the MTBPS for bond market investors. He explains how the bond market reacted in the short term and is likely to respond in the longer term. He also analyses what more credit rating agencies would require to upgrade SA’s sovereign rating to investment grade.

In this podcast, Kevin Lings, Chief Economist at STANLIB Asset Management, highlights what was positive and what was disappointing in today’s Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement. He discusses how achievable the revenue and expenditure targets are, and stresses the need for stronger policy measures to push SA’s growth rate up to 4% sustainably.

When should you choose active investing over passive investing, and how do you identify a good active investment manager?

In Episode 16 of The More You Know, Brendan Howie, Head of Product at STANLIB Asset Management, joins Jeremy Maggs to explore the role of active and passive investing in achieving investment goals.

They discuss how to assess an active investment manager, the importance of defining clear investment objectives, how passive investment instruments can complement an investment strategy, and why a strong relationship between an investment manager and client is essential for managing expectations.

Discover how the right investment approach can help you make more informed investment decisions.

#ActiveInvesting #PassiveInvesting #STANLIB #TheMoreYouKnow

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, analyses the latest US CPI inflation (an increase to 3.7% y/y) data, which reflects pressure not only from fuel but also shelter prices. This could prompt two or more interest rate hikes by the US Fed, which would have global implications. In SA, August mining production fell 12.7% y/y. Weakness was broad-based, and due to a range of factors, but represents a significant lost opportunity, Kevin says.

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, analyses the inflationary pressure of SA’s recent sizable fuel price increases: 18% for petrol in the last two months and 22% for diesel. This has implications for interest rates to control second-round effects. He also examines SA’s latest manufacturing data for August, which was again disappointing, why the sector is in long-term decline, and what it means for GDP growth this year.

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, focuses on the US labour market, labour market conditions and what that may mean for inflation and interest rates. He also looks at SA’s tax collection numbers and its fiscal position, which provide some optimism ahead of the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement on 21 October.