STANLIB STANLIB Podcasts

Higher US inflation and Middle East conflict changes global interest rate outlook

Loading player...
US inflation data for March was higher than markets anticipated, the third successive month of upside surprise, says STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings. US core inflation is nowhere near the US Fed’s 2% target. The main culprits were increases in shelter and motor vehicle insurance costs, but inflationary pressure appears to be broadening out, to, for example, health care and food. All this implies a June interest rate cut is not realistic. Whether there is even a cut this year also depends on whether the oil price surges due to the Middle East crisis.
15 Apr 2024 English South Africa Investing · Business News

Other recent episodes

System readiness is key to a successful JIBAR to ZARONIA transition

Welcome to the STANLIB Corporate Conversations Podcast Series – our newest resource designed to offer timely, expert insights into the forces shaping financial and fixed income markets. Our first episode focuses on a significant development in South Africa’s financial landscape — the transition from the long-standing Johannesburg Interbank Average Rate…
12 Jun 8 min

SA economy stays sluggish; US still adding jobs

In Q1 2025, the South African economy grew by 0.1% q/q and by 0.8% y/y. Over 10 years, it has grown by 0.7% a year on average while the population is growing at 1.4% a year. STANLIB Chief Economist Kevin Lings discusses sector-specific performances and policies that could stimulate growth,…
9 Jun 12 min

SARB expects lower SA inflation, while US tariff uncertainty persists

The South African Reserve Bank has cut the repo rate by 25 bps to 7.25%, citing slowing economic growth, says STANLIB Chief Economist Kevin Lings. The bank revised down its estimates of growth and inflation for this year and may announce a new lower inflation target of 2-4%, in line…
2 Jun 9 min

SA’s April inflation remains subdued; US tax bill will push debt higher

SA’s inflation rate for April, at 2.8%, is fairly subdued, partly because prices of goods being imported from China are in deflation. A cut of 25 bps by the SARB later this week would be justified, given both low inflation and low growth forecasts, and would provide welcome stimulus for…
26 May 10 min

Impact of SA's 2025 Budget on fixed income markets

In this podcast, Sylvester Kobo, STANLIB’s Deputy Head of Fixed Income, discusses the implications of the third iteration of the 2025 Budget on the bond market. He highlights how the Budget could affect fixed income investments, particularly in light of lower GDP growth and inflation forecasts. Discover why the bond…
21 May 4 min
All episodes