Why is corporate South Africa sitting on R1.5 trillion in cash?

Loading player...
Corporate SA’s debt levels have plunged to a 19-year low, leaving balance sheets flush with nearly R1.5 trillion in largely undeployed cash reserves. What’s driving this cautious capital positioning, and where is all that money going?
In this episode, Charlene Klöhn, Head of Corporate Cash Solutions at STANLIB is joined by Kevin Lings, STANLIB Chief Economist, to unpack the shifting dynamics in the money market and enhanced yield space. They explore the strategic thinking behind corporate cash hoarding, the macroeconomic signals influencing these decisions, and the investment avenues currently gaining momentum.

Any commentary or forecasts indicated in this document are for information purposes only and not guaranteed to occur. Additional information about products/funds is available on the Minimum Disclosure Document/Factsheets which can be obtained from the website (www.stanlib.com).

STANLIB is an authorised Financial Services Provider in terms of FAIS and a registered representative manager in terms of CISCA.
5 Aug English South Africa Investing · Business News

Other recent episodes

SA’s removal from the grey list could contribute to 2026 growth

In this podcast, STANLIB’s 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…
24 Oct 4 min

No resolution to US government shutdown; SA’s retail sales slow

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…
20 Oct 10 min

Trust your manager to navigate through volatile fixed income markets

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…
16 Oct 18 min

Markets soften on US government shutdown, escalating trade war with China

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…
13 Oct 6 min

US government shutdown likely to drag on; SA collects more tax than expected

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…
6 Oct 13 min