The formation of South Africa’s new government of national unity bodes well for the consolidation of state reform and pro-growth initiatives, including better performing parastatals, such as Eskom and Transnet, asserts Navin Lala of Old Mutual Alternative Investments.

The annual Morningstar Investment Conference is set to take place on 17 September 2024 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre this year. The much anticipated in-person event brings together some of the financial industry’s top minds to provide delegates with cutting-edge research, expert insights, and thorough analysis.

The easing inflationary environment has raised the prospect that the South African Reserve Bank may cut interest rates, with Standard Bank forecasting two cuts by year-end. However, higher administrative and home servicing costs will continue to pressure clients, despite potential rate cuts.

The Indian Ocean region, despite being underappreciated, holds significant economic potential due to rapid growth in South and Southeast Asia, especially India. Increasing regional trade and improved logistics could unlock vast opportunities for South African firms and the broader economic ecosystem.

George Brown, Senior US Economist at Schroders, explores the economic implications of a potential Trump presidency. His analysis highlights the effects of protectionist measures and immigration policies, projecting stronger growth and higher inflation if Trump is re-elected.

The biggest recent global event to affect the rand’s performance was the Donald Trump assassination attempt at the weekend. The recent period of rand volatility amid heightened local post-election uncertainty has now been swapped out for greater sensitivity to global events, most notably the US elections, currency experts say.