Investec Focus Radio SA

AI agents have entered the workplace, robots are edging closer to our homes and billions continue to flow into the infrastructure powering artificial intelligence. But as technology advances, are the returns keeping pace with expectations?

In this episode of No Ordinary Wednesday, Investec Global Equity analysts David Smith and Zane Bezuidenhout join Jeremy Maggs to examine the year's defining technology trends, the debate over an AI bubble and the companies best placed to benefit. From the future of work to the economics of AI, they unpack what 2026 has taught investors and what to watch in 2027 and beyond. Investec...

Global equities continue to advance, while US corporate earnings continue to beat expectations. Taking into account these ongoing beats, notes Global Chief Investment Officer Chris Holdsworth, the overall US market now trades at just under 20 times earnings, which is not excessive by historical standards. Investec Focus Radio SA

The US economy continues to grow, thanks to ongoing investment into AI, and despite federal government indebtedness and higher inflation because of rising fuel prices. One area where the strain is showing though, says Global Chief Investment Officer Chris Holdsworth, is in the housing market, where mortgage rates are climbing and applications are falling. Should weaker house prices follow, this will be a headwind for consumer spending. Investec Focus Radio SA

AI investment is supporting growth, but its wider benefits remain uneven. Where will global capital go next, and what will businesses pay to access it?
In this special edition of No Ordinary Wednesday, Cumesh Moodliar, CEO of Investec South Africa, and Andrew Lillywhite, head of bank funding group at Investec UK, share first-hand insights from their time at the 2026 IMF and World Bank meetings in Bangkok. Drawing on conversations at the meetings, they examine the forces shaping global investment. They also identify signals that could support investment, from more stable long-term interest rates to the potential impact of a...

The war in the Middle East continues to weigh on markets and the economy, with second round effects showing up in US inflation numbers, notes Investment Strategist at Investec Investment Management Osagyefo Mazwai. The tech sector was the biggest loser in the days following the US inflation print. Investec Focus Radio SA

The global economy is proving resilient, and company earnings remain healthy. Even so, Investec’s Global Investment Strategy Group has maintained a risk score of zero, reflecting a measured approach to portfolio positioning. The findings are published in the quarterly Global Investment View.
On No Ordinary Wednesday, Chris Holdsworth, Investec Investment Management’s Global Chief Investment Officer, joins Jeremy Maggs to explain the thinking behind the decision. Investec Focus Radio SA

The AI story has been great for investors so far, but it may be making the Fed feel uncomfortable. AI investment is helping to fuel growth and inflation, potentially forcing the Fed to maintain a tighter policy stance – even though, says Global Chief Investment Officer Chris Holdsworth, the sectors most likely to bear the burden of higher rates are those contributing the least to inflationary pressures. Investec Focus Radio SA

Stronger revenue offers an opportunity to reduce borrowing. Will spending pressures limit the gains?
Ahead of the 2026 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS), Investec’s Annabel Bishop and Tertia Jacobs to examine the choices facing National Treasury.
Higher precious metals prices offer the prospect of better-than-budgeted tax revenue. But weaker growth, inflation pressure and higher borrowing costs complicate the outlook. How Treasury uses any additional revenue will matter for debt sustainability and investor confidence.
In this episode of No Ordinary Wednesday, our economists discuss spending discipline, the proposed fiscal anchor and why rising bond yields do not necessarily si...

There’s been an almost universal rise in bond yields around the world over the past few months. According to Global Chief Investment Officer Chris Holdsworth, developed markets have seen the biggest rises, with France one of the hardest hit, as it grapples with a worsening fiscal situation. Investec Focus Radio SA

The US economy is running hot, with the latest indicators pointing to 5% GDP growth, ahead of market forecasts for third-quarter growth of 2.8%. This comes despite high oil prices and rising inflation and has implications for the US dollar and the prospects of the US being able to grow out of its debt problem. Investec Focus Radio SA

South Africa’s digital infrastructure is expanding rapidly, from data centres and fibre networks to satellites. But can the country provide the power, capital and regulatory certainty needed to turn digital investment into lasting growth?

On No Ordinary Wednesday, Jeremy Maggs speaks to Investec CIB’s Louise Pillay, a telecoms and media analyst, and David Abbey, a leveraged finance specialist, about what is driving demand, where the risk of overbuilding lies and what it will take to connect more of the country.

Chapters:
00:00 - Digital infrastructure as a growth engine
01:58 - How digital infrastructure has...

In conversation with Head of Investec Equity Research Nkateko Mathonsi, former Gold Fields CEO Chris Griffith reflects on the high-stakes decisions that shaped his mining career, from investing through downturns to balancing business survival with its human cost.
In this episode:
00:00: Introduction
01:08: A $1bn ambition for Africa
02:28: From miner to CEO
05:31: Defending mining rights and the rule of law
13:43: The human cost of restructuring
20:48: Yamana: A question of timing
25:07: Balancing growth and shareholder returns
27:38: The people behind an illustrious career
29:42: Doing right when it matters
30:10: Quick-fire questions
30:33: Outro...

The Fed hiked rates last week amid resilient economic growth and higher inflation, much of it due to higher fuel prices at the pump, while the Bank of Japan also increased borrowing costs, with more likely to come. South Africa’s Reserve Bank is likely to follow suit this week, as inflation expectations remain elevated. Investec Focus Radio SA

Gains by Houthi rebels in recent days have placed further upward pressure on oil prices, with benchmark rates up about 3% on Monday morning, while bond yields have risen since the start of the war. Against this backdrop, the Fed meets this week to decide on interest rates, and, according to Chris Holdsworth, Global Chief Investment Officer, Investec Investment Management, many economists are expecting a hike. Investec Focus Radio SA

Oil, bond yields and inflation are sending a more cautious signal on the global outlook.
Growth has held up better than expected. But energy markets remain tight, long-term borrowing costs are rising, and central banks are weighing the risk of another inflation shock.

In the latest No Ordinary Wednesday, Ellie Henderson and Callum Macpherson of Investec UK discuss what the oil market, sovereign bonds and economic data are telling us now.

They also explore what this means for interest rates, corporate investment and the risks facing South Africa. Investec Focus Radio SA

Crude oil prices have risen over 20% in the last month, and this problem seems unlikely to be resolved quickly: prediction markets put only a 30% likelihood of normal flows through the Strait of Hormuz by December. Chris Holdsworth, Global Chief Investment Officer, Investec Investment Management says with services inflation pressures also rising, and jobs numbers looking stronger, markets are pointing to rate hikes by the Fed. Investec Focus Radio SA

New Fed chief Kevin Warsh delivered a hawkish speech at the Jackson Hole symposium of central bankers on Friday, leading to a stronger US dollar and increased expectations of rate hikes this year and next year. Investec Investment Management’s Investment Strategist Osagyefo Mazwai examines what this means for the US economy, as well as emerging market currencies like the rand. Investec Focus Radio SA

South Africa’s growth challenge is shifting from reform to delivery. Tourism is part of that test.
International arrivals rose 12.3% in the first half of 2026. And phase III of the government-business Partnership now puts the sector firmly on the growth agenda, with a focus on air access, visas, safety and infrastructure.
On No Ordinary Wednesday, Jeremy Maggs and Investec economist Lara Hodes examine what it will take to turn that momentum into investment, jobs and sustained growth.

Read more on www.investec.com/now Investec Focus Radio SA

Property is often seen as one of the more reliable ways to build long-term wealth. It’s tangible, familiar and, for many South Africans, an important part of their financial plan. But investing in property comes with risks that can be easy to overlook, from hidden costs and changing rental yields to considerations around what happens if you’re no longer able to earn an income. In this episode of Everything Counts, we look beyond the property itself to explore what it really takes to build a resilient property investment strategy. Motheo Khoaripe is joined by Sinenhlanhla Sithomo, head of insu...

Moves by the US Treasury to intervene in the bond market failed to bring down yields meaningfully, and the continuing worsening of the US’s fiscal position may explain why. According to Chris Holdsworth, Global Chief Investment Officer, Investec Investment Management, the US’s debt-to-GDP ratio is above 100% and seems set to remain above that level, with tax hikes politically unpalatable and little room to cut spending in areas such as defense, healthcare and social security. Investec Focus Radio SA

The US Federal Reserve finds itself in a difficult position. The US economy has been shedding jobs, and wage growth is soft. At the same time, says Chris Holdsworth, Global Chief Investment Officer, Investec Investment Management, government debt continues to grind higher while inflation remains elevated, mainly the result of higher energy prices – meaning there’s a chance of rates being hiked in the coming months. Investec Focus Radio SA

What does leadership look like after the CEO title falls away? In this episode of Investec Minds, former Telkom Group CEO Sipho Maseko joins Investec's Nkateko Mathonsi and Louise Pillay to reflect on leadership, business transformation and South Africa's future.
Drawing on his experience at Telkom, Vodacom and BP Southern Africa, Maseko shares lessons from leading one of South Africa's most significant corporate turnarounds and the personal cost of making difficult decisions.
The conversation explores Africa's infrastructure deficit, satellite broadband, regulation, AI investment, digital transformation, pay TV, sport and the economics of content. Maseko also discusses the opportunities...

The easy gains may be over, but the case for bonds is not. Annelise Peers, Chief Investment Officer at Investec Bank Switzerland, and Awongiwe Booi, Fixed Income Analyst at Investec Investment Management in South Africa, unpack why attractive yields, easing inflation and South Africa’s underpriced reform story could make fixed income a source of return, not just protection, and what could still spoil the opportunity. Investec Focus Radio SA

In this episode of Everything Counts, we unpack one of the most overlooked opportunities to improve your financial position: your tax return.
Many people treat tax filing season as a simple compliance exercise and move on. But as our experts explain, your SARS tax return is actually a powerful financial health check that can help you avoid costly mistakes, stay compliant, and even unlock additional value.
We dive into:
● Why you should rethink how you approach tax filing
● The risks of blindly accepting SARS auto assessments
● Common tax mistakes that could cost you money
● Medical...

While global equities are up strongly over the last year, there’s been a clear slowing in momentum in the last six months. According to Chris Holdsworth, Global Chief Investment Officer, Investec Investment Management, this implies that much of the strong US earnings performance has been priced into the market. Investec Focus Radio SA

Artificial intelligence is moving faster than almost anyone expected. After attending two of the world's biggest technology conferences in Boston and San Francisco, Investec global equity analysts David Smith and Zane Bezuidenhout unpack what they learned from the executives shaping AI's future. From surging demand and infrastructure bottlenecks to agentic AI and the companies best placed to benefit, they explore what investors should be watching next.

00:00: Intro
1:01: Demand for AI even stronger than expected
2:07: Scale of demand has outstripped supply
3:30: What is Agentic AI?
4:44: When will agentic AI be truly embedded in our lives?<...

We've all heard the advice. Save more. Spend less. Start earlier.
In this episode of Everything Counts, Motheo Khoaripe is joined by Investec's Nirvashni Rajkumar (KZN team leader for the Investec financial planning team) and Dorothy Asomaning (Investec Wealth & Investment Wealth Manager) to explore why saving is about much more than building a bigger bank balance. Together they unpack how lifestyle inflation quietly limits our choices, why earning more doesn't always lead to greater financial freedom, and how giving your money a clear purpose can change the way you think about your future.

In this episode, we...

Although US earnings for the second quarter have mostly beaten expectations, markets appear to have wanted more. Chris Holdsworth, Global Chief Investment Officer, Investec Investment Management, says even companies such as Alphabet that have beaten forecasts have seen declines in their prices after results. Investec Focus Radio SA

Increased competition among LLMs and uncertainty about the return on investment on AI capex are all weighing on the market performance on momentum stocks, such as semiconductor firms. Chris Holdsworth, Global Chief Investment Officer, Investec Investment Management, looks at some of the dynamics in global stock markets. Investec Focus Radio SA

Are South African consumers past the worst of the fuel shock? Household budgets have been hit by higher fuel prices, rising inflation and pressure on real wages. But fuel prices are starting to fall. The risk is timing. Will relief arrive before households are forced to cut back further? Host Jeremy Maggs unpacks the consumer outlook with Annabel Bishop, Investec chief economist, on No Ordinary Wednesday. Investec Focus Radio SA

In this episode of Everything Counts, we unpack the real-world impact of geopolitical tension on global travel, from grounded flights and closed airspace to the human stories behind stranded passengers. What happens behind the scenes when airlines, advisors, and entire systems are forced to respond in real time?
Host Motheo Khoaripe is joined by Paolo Giuricich, Head of Investec Travel, and Otto de Vries, CEO of ASATA, to explore how the travel industry navigates air travel disruptions, and what it means for you as a traveller.
From operational chaos to extraordinary collaboration, and a powerful story of one...

Global GDP growth looks set to be around 3% this year, as the global economy deals with headwinds from a supply shock because of the war with Iran and tailwinds from artificial intelligence spending, says Chris Holdsworth, Chief Investment Strategist, at Investec Wealth & Investment International. While US and Chinese growth is set to slow marginally over the coming year, offset by rising growth in Europe, Japan and emerging markets ex-China. Investec Focus Radio SA

Despite the war in the Gulf, the last six months have been good for global equities. While the US market’s performance has been in line with the overall global performance, the standout has been South Korea, which, says Chris Holdsworth, Chief Investment Strategist, at Investec Wealth & Investment International, has helped emerging markets to outperform. Investec Focus Radio SA

The global economy has held up but that does not mean risk has faded.
At the halfway point of 2026, growth has been stronger than feared and inflation has cooled, but not enough. Central banks remain cautious while energy markets are still exposed to Middle East disruption.

For South Africa, the global backdrop feeds directly into the rand, inflation, capital flows, commodity prices and the Reserve Bank’s room to move.

In the latest episode of No Ordinary Wednesday, Jeremy Maggs speaks to Investec economists Ryan Djajasaputra and Annabel Bishop about what could shape the second ha...

Athletes often have a decade or two to earn what needs to last a lifetime.
So how do they turn short careers into long-term financial security?
In Part 2 of the Everything Counts: Sports Edition Wrapped episodes, host Motheo Khoaripe is joined by Springbok World Cup winner and Investec Sports head Schalk Brits, Investec financial adviser Vumi Dludlu, and wealth manager Moses Bokaba. Together, they unpack what athletes can do to move beyond simply earning money and start building lasting wealth.
From investing and retirement planning to family responsibilities, financial structures and life after sport, this conversation explores...

It’s not just the oil price that’s fallen this month. Platinum, gold, iron ore and copper are also down. Chris Holdsworth, Chief Investment Strategist, at Investec Wealth & Investment International says it reflects a softer Chinese economy, US dollar strength and a new Fed chief who’s a hawk on inflation. Investec Focus Radio SA

In this episode of Investec Minds, former Anglo American and AngloGold Ashanti CEO Mark Cutifani reflects on the leadership decisions that shaped his career and the mining industry. In conversation with Investec's Nkateko Mathonsi and Patrick Mann, he shares insights on navigating crises, transforming organisational culture, driving innovation, improving mine safety and why mining will play a pivotal role in the global energy transition and economic development.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:58 What Mark is up to today
03:28 Leadership lessons
04:49 Mark's corporate transformation playbook
06:35 Leading through crises
10:37 Improving mine safety
12:14 Changing the mining narrative <...

While peace talks between the US and Iran have helped bring down oil prices and, with them, inflation expectations, Chris Holdsworth, Chief Investment Strategist, at Investec Wealth & Investment International says markets are reading Fed chief Kevin Warsh's commitment to price stability as a sign that a US rate hike is on the way. Investec Focus Radio SA

Is higher education keeping up with AI? For decades, the university degree has been treated as a reliable bridge between learning and work. AI is testing that bargain.
As technology changes what employers need, higher education faces a sharper test - not whether it can produce graduates, but whether it can prepare people to think, adapt and contribute to an economy being reshaped in real time.

In this episode of No Ordinary Wednesday, our host Jeremy Maggs, Jerome September, Dean of Student Affairs at Wits University and Lesley-Anne Gatter, Global Head of People & Organisation, examine what future...

Markets welcomed reports of a US-Iran peace deal, with equity markets up and oil prices down sharply from recent highs. This could be good news for the global inflation outlook, though risks remain. Investec Focus Radio SA