NOW ep95: Global economy: Recession or recovery?

Loading player...
Recession risks, inflation pressures, and trade tensions - how is the global economy shaping up in 2025? Investec’s Chief Economists, Phil Shaw (UK) and Annabel Bishop (SA), take stock of the latest trends in No Ordinary Wednesday. From global growth forecasts to the economic outlook for Europe and South Africa, they break down what lies ahead.

Podcast key moments:

00:00 – Introduction
01:02 - How will the evolution of US trade, defence, and foreign aid policies influencing the global macroeconomic outlook in the coming months?
02:21 - What are the key factors influencing your global economic growth projections?
03:53 - GDP growth in South Africa for 2025 is likely to fall below 1.5%, what’s contributing to this downward revision?
05:41 - What will be the implications of slower growth on business confidence in South Africa?
06:33 – Was there anything in South Africa's Budget Speech 2025 that could turn the economic tide?
07:56 - What factors are you watching that would determine the growth path of the US in the coming months? Is a recession looming?
09:47 - What are some of the main headwinds currently affecting economic growth in Europe?
11:17 - What changes might we see due to new leadership changes in the EU?
12:49 - Do you see any challenges for European nations given their current fiscal positions?
14:28 – What stimulatory measures should the South African government be looking at to accelerate growth?
16:36 - What are those emerging economies contending with when it comes to economic growth? And how does that impact the global economy?
19:36 - What factors are you watching that could derail global growth?
20:49 - How has the fragmentation of the global economy influenced South Africa's trade relationships and economic strategy?

Read more on www.investec.com/now

Hosted by seasoned broadcaster, Jeremy Maggs, the No Ordinary Wednesday podcast unpacks the latest economic, business and political news in South Africa, with an all-star cast of investment and wealth managers, economists and financial planners from Investec. Listen in every second Wednesday for an in-depth look at what's moving markets, shaping the economy, and changing the game for your wallet and your business.
Chapters
  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 01:02 How will the evolution of US trade, defence, and foreign aid policies influencing the global macroeconomic outlook in the coming months?
  • 02:21 What are the key factors influencing your stance global economic growth projections?
  • 03:53 GDP growth in South Africa for 2025 is likely to fall below 1.5%, what’s contributing to this downward revision?
  • 05:41 What will be the implications of slower growth on business confidence?
  • 06:33 Was there anything in Budget Speech 2025 that could turn the economic tide?
  • 07:56 What factors are you watching that would determine the growth path of the US in the coming months? Is a recession looming?
  • 09:47 What are some of the main headwinds currently affecting economic growth in Europe?
  • 11:17 What changes might we see due to new leadership changes in the EU?
  • 12:49 Do you see any challenges for European nations given their current fiscal positions?
  • 14:28 What stimulatory measures should the South African government be looking at to accelerate growth?
  • 16:36 What are emerging economies contending with when it comes to economic growth? And how does that impact the global economy?
  • 19:36 What factors are you watching that could derail global growth?
  • 20:49 How has the fragmentation of the global economy influenced South Africa's trade relationships and economic strategy?
17 Mar 2025 English South Africa Business · Investing

Other recent episodes

What Next? Bridging the trust gap

In this episode of What Next?, Professor Mike Kenny (Cambridge) and Jacinta Koolmatrie examine the breakdown of trust between communities and institutions. They discuss how centralised governance and economic shifts have driven local grievances, and argue that rebuilding trust requires sharing power, working at community pace, and supporting locally led…
2 Apr 52 min

NOW Ep124: A crude awakening for inflation?

Interest rate cuts were meant to define 2026. Now, markets are bracing for hikes. In this episode of No Ordinary Wednesday, Investec’s Chief Economists Annabel Bishop and Phil Shaw examine how the energy shock is forcing central banks to reconsider their path. From London to Pretoria, policymakers face a familiar…
31 Mar 24 min

Macro Monday Ep110: Little sign of a near-term end to the war

With little sign of an early resolution to the war in the Middle East, supply constraints on commodities such as oil, gas, and helium may well endure. Chris Holdsworth Chief Investment Strategist, at Investec Wealth & Investment International notes that fuel prices likely to feed through quickly into consumer inflation,…
30 Mar 8 min

What Next? | Making the transition investable

Clean and green growth has moved from ambition to execution, but the challenge is one of pace. Investment conditions are key: predictable rules, credible pathways, and coordination across value chains, finance and government. This episode of What Next? Leadership Conversations for a Better Future, Helena Norrman, Marina Grossi, and Sang-Hyup…
27 Mar 35 min

Everything Counts | Episode 44: What the new 2026 tax allowances mean for you?

The new tax year is here, and the 2026 Budget Speech introduced important changes that could reshape how South Africans save, invest, and plan for retirement. In this episode of Everything Counts, host Motheo Khoaripe sits down with Vumi Dludlu, Investec financial adviser, and Johan Loubser, head of adviser enablement…
23 Mar 18 min