STANLIB Podcasts

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, looks at US headline consumer inflation, which was below market expectations, at 2.4% y/y in January, with little evidence of a build-up of pressure. At the same time, job creation was above expectations. This should help the US achieve 2% GDP growth this year. Latest South African mining and manufacturing output data was disappointing, due...

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, analyses latest US ISM manufacturing and labour data. The manufacturing index increased significantly to above 50, normally indicating expansion in the sector, but Kevin believes this reflects shorter-term factors, including anticipation of greater consumer spending ahead of tax cuts. US labour data continues to soften as businesses may be h...

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, focuses on the latest decisions by the US and SA central banks to hold interest rates unchanged. In SA the decision reflects the SARB’s determination to lower inflation expectations, as well as risks to inflation from food and energy. In the US, the decision was widely expected. Instead, attention focused on the nomination of Kevin Warsh as...

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, examines the factors that lifted SA’s headline inflation rate slightly to 3.6% y/y in December, though it remains subdued. The SARB is expected to stay cautious, but there is room for an interest rate cut. Low inflation encourages confidence and investment. At the same time, SA’s retail spending is growing faster than the overall economy, pa...

In the eighth episode of The More You Know, Rademeyer Vermaak, Head of Systematic Solutions, discusses why cryptocurrency is important and how it is evolving in response to the needs of the global financial system. STANLIB is an authorised Financial Services Provider in terms of the FAIS Act and a registered Manager in terms of CISCA. Please refer to MDD/Factsheet available on www.stanlib.com for...

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, focuses on latest US inflation and Chinese GDP data. US December headline inflation was unchanged at 2.7% y/y as shelter costs are moderating but food prices are rising. Inflation is less of a concern for the Fed than the labour market. In China, GDP grew by 5% y/y in 2025, exactly in line with government’s target. Most of the growth was in...

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, unpacks recent geopolitical events, including the US intervention in Venezuela and its threatened moves into Greenland and Iran. Surprisingly, this has had little effect on financial markets. He also explores latest US employment data and why SA’s manufacturing output continues to struggle. STANLIB Asset Management (Pty) Ltd is an authorised...

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, unpacks SA’s GDP growth and the latest US ADP report on US private sector employment. The local economy grew by an encouraging 2.1% year on year, largely because historical data was revised higher, but he warned this is not a sustainable growth rate – that is probably closer to 1-1.5%. In the US, the ADP report for November showed a loss of...

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, examines latest US retail sales data, including Black Friday. Black Friday sales, both in-store and online, were up 4% y/y, which is not particularly buoyant. He also looks at how corporate credit is driving the recent acceleration in SA’s growth in private sector credit. You can listen to the podcast [here]. STANLIB Asset Management (Pty) L...

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, considers the factors that are restraining SA’s inflation rate and have influenced the Reserve Bank in cutting the benchmark interest rate by 25 bps at its latest meeting. He also analyses latest US jobs data, which showed an increase in unemployment to 4.4% from 4.3%, and changing expectations about the next US Federal interest rate cut. Yo...

In the seventh episode of our “The More You Know” series, Mark Lovett, STANLIB Head of Investments, shares his experience of other market bubbles to help put the current AI hype into context. He emphasises the need for investors to identify the winners and losers in this new technology wave and discusses how AI is affecting the asset management industry. STANLIB is an authorised Financial Services...

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, examines the reasons why S&P decided to revise SA’s credit rating from BB- to BB, while Fitch kept its rating unchanged. SA’s weak GDP growth rate remains a concern for all credit rating agencies but while S&P took a more positive view, Fitch wants to see that growth significantly higher. Kevin also discusses how markets have reacted to rece...

In this podcast, STANLIB Asset Management Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, explores seven key positive aspects of the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) that indicate government finances are moving into a better position. These points will encourage both investors and credit rating agencies. He also discusses the implications of SA moving to a lower 3% inflation target. You can listen to the...

In this podcast, Sylvester Kobo, STANLIB Asset Management Deputy Head of Fixed Income, highlights positive aspects of the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) for bond investors, including the lower inflation target, better revenue collections, a small improvement in the budget deficit and a reduction in government bond issuances. He briefly discusses how the MTBPS influences the outlook fo...

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, discusses the latest move to end – at least temporarily - the US government shutdown, which is now the longest in history. Among other effects, the shutdown has reduced the flow of economic data, making policy decisions harder. He also looks at SA’s upcoming MTBPS and a potential improvement in the country’s credit rating. You can listen to...

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, examines the US Federal Reserve’s (Fed) decision to cut interest rates by 25 bps and the caution about future cuts that the Fed expressed in its press conference. He also highlighted SA’s encouraging fiscal position, with tax revenue collection ahead of budget across all major categories, and government spending likely to remain within budge...

Traditionally, bonds make for steady portfolios when equities falter and vice versa. But recently, South African bonds have surged at the same time as a resource-driven lift in the JSE All-Share Index, while global bonds have weakened. In the sixth episode of our “The More You Know” vodcast series, Peter van der Ross, Deputy Head of STANLIB Multi-Asset, discusses the factors that have alarmed inve...

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, looks at US September CPI, which went up less than expected, to 3% from 2.9%. He analyses why it is showing only a modest impact from tariffs, and how it will influence US interest rates. In SA, September CPI went up to 3.4% from 3.3%, but Kevin expects it will move higher in coming months. To listen to the podcast, click here. STANLIB Asset...

In this podcast, STANLIB Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, discusses why the Financial Action Task Force decided to remove SA from the grey list today and how this development could contribute to economic growth in 2026. STANLIB is an authorised Financial Services Provider in terms of the FAIS Act and a registered Manager in terms of CISCA.

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, looks at the economic disruption as the US government shutdown enters its third week, with no resolution in sight. He also considers the slowdown in SA’s retail sales in August, which appears to be largely due to the tapering off of two-pot withdrawals.

In the latest episode of our The More You Know vodcast series, Sylvester Kobo, Deputy Head of Fixed Income at STANLIB Asset Management, counsels investors to “get comfortable with discomfort” for the foreseeable future and avoid focusing on short term ups and downs. He also discusses the factors that have driven a 14% return from the local bond market in 2025. He explains how the Fixed Income team...

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, considers the likely implications if the US government shutdown continues for an extended period. He also touches on export restrictions announced by China on certain rare earth minerals and the US response to threaten higher tariffs on China, which suggest the trade war could escalate. STANLIB is an authorised Financial Services Provider in...

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, discusses the reasons for and impacts of the US government shutdown, including on economic activity and business confidence. He suggests that, given current political tensions in the US, it is likely to drag on for a while. He also looks at SA’s government revenue collection in August, which was better than expected. To listen to the podcast...

In the fourth episode of our Corporate Conversations series, Eulali Gouws, Head of Money Market at STANLIB Asset Management, talks briefly about how bond and money market participants should be adjusting benchmark rates from JIBAR to ZARONIA, for both legacy and future contracts. She also explains the steps that regulators are taking to facilitate the transition. STANLIB is an authorised Financial...

In this episode, STANLIB Asset Management Multi-Asset portfolio managers Warren Buhai and Peter van der Ross talk to Jeremy Maggs about the paradox of equity markets in the US and SA scaling new highs while global and local economic growth stutters. They explain how the STANLIB Asset Management Multi-Asset team’s structured process and forward-looking scenarios are helping to anticipate and manage...