ETM's Markets Magnified

The American Labour market surpassed expectations in January, failing to soften as economists may have anticipated. What's going on? The Rand is bearing the brunt and China's economy continues to stutter. All in this week's take of the markets.

The Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, throttling this important trade route, have a rippling global economic impact. ETM Analytics' Ilze-Marie Le Roux hears from maritime researcher at the Institute for Security Studies, Timothy Walker, about the ongoing conflict's immediate and long-term economic risks, specifically for Africa. Available on Youtube: https://youtu.be/0jw2UUq64zE

Japan finds itself at an interesting crossroads. Unlike the rest of the world, markets are betting on when its central bank will start hiking interest rates after being held at negative for several years. Could such a move resolve Japan's economic headache and how could this impact global markets?

Given its strategic importance in the Gaza conflict, Egypt could use its geopolitical advantage to press for further economic support. Will El-Sisi play his cards right? ETM Analytics' Ilze-Marie Le Roux and Financial Market Analyst, and colleague, Edmond Muzinda share their analysis.

Chart of the Week: Markets and the Fed have different ideas about rate cuts. This divergence on the Citi Surprise Index could be a red flag on the economic road ahead. --by Andrew Hyde

15 January 2024 Market Review: -Markets expect deep slashing of rates -Election uncertainty baked into 2024 -Elites chit-chat in Davos A recap of the week that was and the one to come for the markets

Delistings plague the JSE with an average of 15 companies dropping the stock exchange every year since 2015. The repercussions are extensive, is the JSE in trouble? Galileo Capital CEO, Theo Vorster shares his insights.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana delivered the gloomy fiscal picture most South Africans had expected. ETM's Head of Research and Director George Glynos shares his first take on the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) 2023.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is set to deliver gloomy news on the state of the South African economy when he presents the MTBPS on 1 November. ETM Director and Head of Research, George Glynos shares his thoughts on whether the SARB's FX and Gold Reserves Account should be used to bail out the fiscus. For more analysis, join us on Youtube --> https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query...

ETM's Ilze-Marie Le Roux asks Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde whether the province can safeguard itself from the fiscal crisis at a national level. National Treasury is facing tough decisions as revenues tumble and economic growth remains flat, and South Africa now faces a fiscal cliff.

'Soft landing' has become the latest buzzword on the US economy. It relates to whether the American Federal Reserve has managed the tightrope act of hiking interest rates sufficiently to pull inflation within its target range without tipping the economy into a severe downturn. But a looming debt refinancing risk could burst any hopes of this happening. ETM's Ilze-Marie Le Roux and Dire...

The Chinese economy has hit a speedbump after its property market collapsed. The wobble undoubtedly holds consequences for several Emerging Markets. ETM Analytics has identified, and ranked, a basket of EMs (according to their exposure to China) which will be bearing most of the Chinese brunt.

South Africa has recorded $10bn worth of imports relating to renewable energy over the past decade and it's accelerating. The first half of 2023 saw solar panel imports spike to $650 million. ETM's Ilze-Marie Le Roux speaks to Gaylor Montmasson-Clair,facilitator of SA's Renewable Energy Master plan, about the potential locked up in these figures for the domestic economy. Montmasson-Cla...

The tech war between China and America has been escalating since 2022. Export controls relating to semiconductors have become the weapon of choice in an attempt by the two superpowers to restrain each other's technological advancement. Ilze-Marie Le Roux asks sanctions and geo-economics expert, Ali Ahmadi, how the spat could possibly play out and whether the upcoming US elections could perhaps...

Tensions have been simmering between the US and China resulting in a ping-pong match involving export controls relating to semiconductors. It’s an example of the rise in Techno-nationalism. But when two elephants fight, it’s the grass that gets trampled. ETM’s Ilze-Marie Le Roux asks Research fellow at Hinrich Foundation, Alex Capaldi (also a lecturer at the Business School at the National Univers...

The Russian Lady R scandal has placed the National Conventional Arms Control committee in the spotlight along with its shortcomings. Research conducted by Open Secrets has revealed a worrying trend in the oversight process which, at worst, could threaten South Africa’s international political stance. ETM’s Ilze-Marie Le Roux speaks to Head of Investigations at Open Secrets, Michael Marchant about...

What do you do when local government collapses? In Ditsobotla municipality, this is already the case. Residents are now pulling at the levers of the law to force state intervention while trying to keep the local government afloat. Ilze-Marie Le Roux speaks to Sakeligs'a Tian Alberts, who is spearheading the legal fight, about the rights of residents when their municipalities fail to deliver on...

Wheeling has been noted as a partial solution to South Africa's energy crisis. ETM's Ilze-Marie Le Roux finds out from energy expert, Devilliers Botha, when a company should consider wheeling....also, he explains exactly what it entails. Devilliers Botha is part of SAPVIA's Management Committee and COO & Co-Founder of Solareff.

Hyperinflation forced the hand of the recently re-elected, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to up lending rates after he kept them artificially low to promote economic growth. It backfired, sending possible warning shots to those making similar Erdogan-noises. ETM’s Ilze-Marie Le Roux and Head of Research & Director, George Glynos, chat about what went wrong ,how to avoid a similar cost fate a...

ETM's Ilze-Marie Le Roux hears from Head of Research & Director, George Glynos what is fanning the accelerated capital flight out of South Africa, are there opportunities to make a buck and how do we lure the money back.

Calls for dedollarisation by some politicians have grabbed international headlines. But is moving away from the greenback as a reserve currency really that simple and, more importantly, does the data supports the limited belief that this may already be happening? ETM Analytics' Ilze-Marie Le Roux and Director & Head of Research, George Glynos takes a look.