Wednesday, February 18, 2026

The Finance Ghost

Ghost Bites (Afrimat | BHP | MTN | Sirius Real Estate)

Afrimat is firmly between a rock and a hard place. BHP released excellent interim results. MTN is moving ahead with the acquisition of IHS. Sirius Real Estate raised nearly R1.7 billion for acquisitions in Germany.

PODCAST: No Ordinary Wednesday Ep121 | Budget Speech 2026: What’s at stake?

South Africa’s 2026 Budget arrives at a pivotal moment. Debt is hovering near 78% of GDP. Growth is forecast at just 1.5%. Debt-servicing costs absorb around 5% of GDP. And yet, bond yields have fallen, sentiment has improved and S&P maintains a positive outlook. Is this genuine fiscal stabilisation or simply a window of opportunity? Jeremy Maggs sits down with Investec’s Chief Economist Annabel Bishop and Treasury Economist Tertia Jacobs.

Ghost Bites (AECI | Stefanutti Stocks | Telkom)

Telkom is telling a positive story in prepaid - and the market likes it. AECI's margins are jumping around, but earnings are up overall. Stefanutti Stocks has achieved a further increase in the order book.

Ghost Bites (Cell C | Ethos Capital | Mustek | KAP)

Cell C's maiden results as a listed company show us their growth engines, but also expense pressures. KAP is looking much better than before, and so is Mustek. Ethos Capital is repurchasing 41.5% of its shares in issue.

The problem with obedience

One of history's most unsettling experiments shows us that ethics tend to fall by the wayside when people are "following orders". Is this inherent flaw in humanity an area where AI might have the moral upper hand? Dominique Olivier explores this concept by taking us through Stanley Milgram's famous experiment from the 1960s. As always, the history books teach us a valuable lesson.

Ghost Bites (AB InBev | Altron | Brimstone – Sea Harvest | British American Tobacco | South32 | Tongaat Hulett)

AB InBev's beer volumes are dropping, while British American Tobacco reminds us what an industry in decline looks like. South32 did well overall. Altron has flagged higher earnings. Brimstone has been boosted by Sea Harvest. The show is sadly over at Tongaat Hulett, with disastrous effects on the sugar value chain.

Ghost Bites (Aspen | Capitec | City Lodge | Nampak | Pan African Resources | Trustco)

Capitec's excellent growth story continues. Pan African Resources made a fortune in 2025. Aspen's interims are predictably awful, but they are looking to the future. Nampak's business update is encouraging. City Lodge's growth was offset by currency moves. Trustco's Meya Mining raised debt for its diamond mining ambitions.

Ghost Bites (Powerfleet | Trellidor | Standard Bank)

Powerfleet is closer to achieving a net profit. Shock and horror: Standard Bank is not actually trying to acquire other banks. Trellidor's earnings have collapsed - will the turnaround ever come?

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