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,...

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...

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 i...

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 s...

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 defin...

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...

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,...

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.

Active and passive investing each have distinct characteristics and can play different roles within an investment portfolio. In this episode of The More You Know, Ryan Basdeo, Head of Index Portfolio Management at 1nvest, and Brendan Howie, Head of Product at STANLIB Asset Management, explore the differences between active and passive investing, including the advantages and limitations of each app...

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, focuses on SA inflation data for August, which surprised on the downside. Inflation is forecast to rise to over 5% through to the end of the year on fuel increases and higher food prices. This may see interest rates go higher, following the recent 25 basis point increase. He also discusses the criticism that interest rates are hurting econom...

In this podcast, Stephen Backhouse, Head of Retail Strategy: Group Channels at STANLIB Asset Management, chats to Eulali Gouws, Head of Money Market, about the interest rate decision. Eulali explains the reasoning behind the decision, how the team positions the STANLIB Money Market Fund to respond to the interest rate environment, and where the team sees the most attractive opportunities. STANLIB...

Women are increasingly influencing capital allocation and investment decisions. More women are actively determining where capital is allocated, how risk is being managed, and what long-term success looks like, not only for their families, but also for their businesses and for their own investment portfolios. In the latest episode of the Corporate Conversations Podcast, Charlene Klöhn, Head of Corp...

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, focuses on the US interest rate decision to hike rates by 25bps and what the environment suggests for interest rates going forward, with at least two hikes expected this year. He also examines SA retail sales in July, which surprised strongly to the upside, with a trend toward softer retail spending in the latter part of the year, given a li...

In this podcast, STANLIB Asset Management's, Chief Economist, Kevin Lings examines South Africa’s disappointing Q2 GDP growth and persistently high US PCE inflation. South Africa recorded declines across key sectors, including mining, manufacturing and retail activity, with STANLIB forecasting economic growth of just 1.1% for the full year. In the US, PCE inflation remains above the Federal Reserv...

What do stronger-than-expected US jobs numbers mean for interest rates, markets, and investors? And why are South African businesses still holding back on investment despite ongoing efforts to stimulate growth? In this episode, STANLIB Asset Management's Chief Economist, Kevin Lings unpacks the latest economic data, including robust US job creation that has strengthened the case for further Federa...

In this podcast, STANLIB Chief Economist Kevin Lings unpacks US Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh’s recent speech at the Jackson Hole conference, including his reaffirmation of the Fed’s 2% inflation target and his approach to monetary policy guidance. Kevin also considers the resilience of the US economy and why Warsh’s firm stance on inflation could pave the way for further interest rate hikes....

In this podcast, STANLIB Chief Economist Kevin Lings unpacks the key drivers and risks shaping South Africa’s inflation outlook, as well as the recent slowdown in retail sales. While inflation improved in July, short-term risks remain, including higher fuel prices and the potential impact of El Niño on summer crops. Kevin also discusses the fading momentum in South Africa’s retail sales growth and...

Higher oil prices, ongoing geopolitical tensions, and uncertainty around interest rates are creating new challenges for corporate treasurers. In this episode, STANLIB Senior Economist Ndivhuho Netshitenzhe joins Charlene Klöhn, Head of Corporate Cash Solutions, to discuss the economic outlook, interest rate trends, inflation expectations, and practical cash management strategies for businesses man...

What do the latest US inflation data and South Africa’s rising unemployment rate mean for the economic outlook? In this episode, STANLIB Chief Economist Kevin Lings examines the latest US inflation figures, which eased to 3.4%, but remain above the Federal Reserve’s target. He also explores what this means for US interest rates and the Fed’s likely “wait and see” approach. In South Africa, unemplo...

What will keep an asset manager relevant in the future, and who will help shape what comes next? As part of our Women in Focus series for August, The More You Know brings together perspectives from across STANLIB. In this edition, Kau Phuti Portia Boshomane, Eulali Gouws and Kimone Maharaj explore the forces shaping the future of asset management, from investment capability and client outcomes to...

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings explores the US Federal Reserve decision to leave interest rates unchanged at its fifth successive meeting. Kevin highlights a growing credibility issue around Fed chair Kevin Warsh’s statements about being tough on inflation and inaction on tackling it. Kevin also considers the implications of SA’s impressive tax revenue collection report fo...

South Africa's inflation rate rose to 5% in June, raising questions about the path of interest rates. In this podcast, STANLIB Chief Economist Kevin Lings unpacks the drivers of inflation, the SARB's decision to leave rates unchanged, and whether further interest rate hikes are likely in the months ahead. STANLIB Asset Management (Pty) Ltd is an authorised Financial Services Provider in terms of t...

In this podcast, Stephen Backhouse, Head of Retail Strategy: Group Channels at STANLIB Asset Management, chats to Eulali Gouws, Head of Money Market, about the SA Reserve Bank’s surprising decision to keep repo rates on hold, despite higher inflation. Gouws explains the reasoning for the decision and how the STANLIB team positions the Money Market Fund to best respond to interest rate moves. STANL...