STANLIB Podcasts

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, discusses Moody’s encouraging review of SA from stable to positive, although GDP growth is necessary to get a full upgrade. April inflation, which is up at 4%, reflects a sizeable increase in food prices and an adjustment to medical aid inflation, while retail sales increased modestly as consumer income came under pressure.

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, discusses the upcoming SA Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee meeting, when a 25 bps interest rate hike is expected, as well as latest US inflation data. US CPI in April rose 3.8% y/y – and this does not yet fully reflect the increase in gasoline prices. In the short term, though, US interest rates are expected to be held, with the risk of a hike if the oil price remains above $100/barrel.

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, focuses on recent US labour market data, which is key to the performance of the economy. Labour market conditions appear to have improved in the last two months, with the economy adding an impressive number of jobs, despite the Middle East conflict and investment in AI.

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 the below-forecast 2% q/q growth in US GDP in the first quarter, which indicates the economy is being largely sustained by AI investment. He also discusses recent global central banks’ decisions to hold interest rates, and how this is likely to influence the SA Reserve Bank.

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 factors that influenced the surprisingly low increase in US PPI data for March, which is showing no second-round effects from tariffs and the higher oil price. However, he cautions it is still early to predict the direction of US interest rates. He also examines latest Chinese economic data, which shows manufacturing activity growing strongly, but weak consumer spending.

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, analyses the increase in US inflation in March to 3.3% from 2.4%, largely due to oil price pressure – gasoline prices rose 21% in the month. Inflation is likely to stay above 3% for some time, above the US Federal Reserve 2% target. Inflation concerns are reflected in consumer confidence data. He also looks at the implications of the long-term decline in South African manufacturing 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 this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, unpacks the SA Reserve Bank’s three scenarios for inflation and interest rates, depending on the duration of the Middle East war. He also discusses SA’s April hikes in petrol and diesel prices – the biggest increases that SA has ever seen in one month – and their implications.

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

South Africa’s infrastructure requires urgent investment after 30 years of underspending. How can private equity and private credit work together to bridge the significant funding gap?

In the ninth episode of "The More You Know," Marisa Bester (COO of Infrastructure Investment at STANLIB) and Johan Marnewick (Head of Fixed Income Private Markets) join host Jeremy Maggs to discuss mobilising capital for the life and pension funds industry.

They explore how private equity and private credit can mobilise capital to meet the risk, return, and impact requirements of the life and pension funds industry.

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 the effect of the oil price on SA fuel prices, currently pointing to petrol increasing by around R6.50 a litre and diesel by R11 a litre in April. This is expected to cause shocks in the consumer and business sectors and feed into inflation, taking the inflation rate from a comfortable 3% to over 4.5%. The Reserve Bank is expected to keep rates on hold, but to issue a hawkish statement.

He also discusses interest rate developments around the world, where about 15 significant central banks have held meetings, and most have opted to keep rates on hold. However, they have signalled that if oil prices remain elevated and feed into broader inflationary pressures, they may be forced to hike 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 how the war in the Middle East, now in its 17th day and going on longer than most people anticipated, continues to affect the oil price. At over $100 and with no end in sight to the war in the short term, there are implications for inflation, with most central banks not contemplating interest rate cuts and a risk-off trade unfolding on markets. US inflation data still looks good, but has yet to factor in the oil price. He also discusses SA’s GDP performance for the fourth quarter, which brought SA’s economic growth to 1.1% last year. A substantial increase in petrol and diesel could undermine SA’s growth dynamics.

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