STANLIB Podcasts

In this podcast, STANLIB Asset Management’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, examines the latest US and South African employment data, exploring why the US economy continues to create jobs while South Africa's formal sector employment remains under pressure.

In June, the US added 57,000 non-farm jobs, supporting steady economic growth despite ongoing global uncertainty. Meanwhile, South Africa lost approximately 80,000 jobs in the first quarter of 2026, with formal sector employment declining by 431,000 jobs over the past 2.5 years.

Discover what these employment trends reveal about economic growth, fixed investment, business confidence, and the outlook for investors. This episode provides expert analysis of the latest labour market data and explains what it could mean for the South African economy, global markets, and long-term investment opportunities.

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, discusses whether US inflation has peaked yet, and a plunge in South African consumer confidence. US headline PCE inflation for May was at 4.1% y/y, but since end-April the oil price has fallen almost 34%. This should bring down inflation in June – however there may be other inflationary pressures, which would force the US Fed to hike rates.

Markets are constantly evolving, testing investor conviction through volatility, changing sentiment and short-term uncertainty. In these moments, a disciplined and systematic investment approach can help investors remain objective and focused on their long-term goals.

In this episode, Rademeyer Vermaak, Head of Systematic Solutions at STANLIB Asset Management, talks to Jeremy Maggs about the investment philosophy behind the STANLIB Enhanced Multi Style Equity Fund and the disciplined process that has guided the fund through a decade of changing market cycles.

In this podcast, STANLIB’s chief economist, Kevin Lings, discusses South Africa’s May inflation rate, which increased by 4.5% year-on-year, mainly due to the fuel price. He notes, however, that there are few signs of secondary inflation effects in key categories. Kevin also unpacks some of the important changes to US monetary policy, and Federal Reserve market communication under new Fed chairman Kevin Warsh.

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, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, discusses the 4.5% y/y increase in SA’s May inflation rate, mainly due to the fuel price. However, he notes few signs of secondary effects in key categories. He also unpacks some of the important changes to US monetary policy, including its communication to the market, under new Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh.

STANLIB is an authorised Financial Services Provider in terms of FAIS and a registered manager in terms of CISCA.

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, discusses SA’s GDP numbers for Q1, which surprised a little to the upside, and expectations of what economic growth could look like for the rest of the year. He looks at sectoral contributions and notes that manufacturing remains a weak spot in the economy, as manufacturing production also declined, and stresses the need to be closer to other emerging markets at 4% on a sustained basis. He also discusses US inflation (CPI and PPI) for May and the relatively high headline inflation (against a 2% inflation target) as gasoline prices soar. He also discusses the Fed’s meeting this week and pressure on the new Fed chair to cut interest rates.

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, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, discusses US labour market data, where the US created 172 000 jobs in May, way more jobs than anticipated, with the previous two months also revised higher. He also looks at Fitch’s decision to upgrade SA’s credit rating one notch to BB, still two notches below investment grade, with the rerating influenced by improvements in fiscal balances and progress on public-private partnerships in energy and logistics. He discusses what SA will need to do to get upgraded further, such as raising the growth rate up to 3% and beyond, and policy implementation.

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, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, discusses US labour market data, where the US created 172 000 jobs in May, way more jobs than anticipated, with the previous two months also revised higher. He also looks at Fitch’s decision to upgrade SA’s credit rating one notch to BB, still two notches below investment grade, with the rerating influenced by improvements in fiscal balances and progress on public-private partnerships in energy and logistics. He discusses what SA will need to do to get upgraded further, such as raising the growth rate up to 3% and beyond, and policy implementation.

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, discusses the SARB’s decision to hike interest rates by 25 bps and the risk of more hikes if the US/Iran conflict continues. The SARB indicated it was concerned about second-round effects from the higher oil price and remains determined to achieve its 3% inflation goal. Kevin also analyses latest SA government revenue collection data.

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 the eleventh episode of our “The More You Know” series, Johan Marnewick, Head of Fixed Income Private Markets at STANLIB, and Karishma Bhoolia, Senior Climate Risk Analyst at JustShare, discuss what is needed to give investors in impact projects greater confidence about their effectiveness.

STANLIB is an authorised Financial Services Provider in terms of FAIS and a registered manager in terms of CISCA.