The recently launched Ghost Bites podcast brings you an audio supplement to the daily Ghost Bites that you know and love in Ghost Mail. This gives me an opportunity to expand on certain topics in detail, while bringing in the results of the poll as well. This episode covers the recent credit ratings upgrade for the banks, as well as Hyprop's capital raise.

As expected, Hyprop increased the size of the capital raise. Hammerson has recycled capital at a premium to book. Trustco's investment in Meya Mining is in serious trouble. In the Nibbles: MAS, Prosus and more.

Hyprop is tapping the market for R500 million in fresh equity capital. VCP now has a stake of over 5% in Bytes Technology.

Hyprop shows that destination shopping can take the fight to eCommerce. ASP Isotopes and Sappi have significant deal news, while Sirius Real Estate and CA Sales are doing the type of deals that those groups are known for. Mantengu is very unhappy with its auditors.

Richemont has welcomed a return to growth in Asia Pacific. MAS is making big changes - and Hyprop is happy to be on the other side of a deal for a property in Bulgaria. Finbond, Gemfields and Reunert all have positives and negatives to consider. Orion Minerals raised capital, while Trematon might sell Generation Education.

RCL Foods is betting on pets. Remgro is going ahead with the Mediclinic deal. Datatec is growing strongly. In property, we saw news from Emira and Hyprop. African Rainbow Minerals is investing further in copper, while Jubilee's copper EBITDA has at least swung positive. Master Drilling had a reasonable year. Sephaku Holdings needs more infrastructure spend to come through.

Absa is dong very well at the moment, while Weaver Fintech is screaming up the J-curve. Attacq, Burstone and Hyprop bring you updates from the property sector. CA Sales has delivered a positive earnings surprise. Trellidor is in a very tough spot.

Pick n Pay looks more like a basket case by the day, with losses increasing rather than improving. RMB Holdings announced an offer by the Atterbury consortium. Vukile Property Fund's local festive numbers look good. Other updates came in from Bidvest, DRDGOLD, Hyprop, Metair, Northam Platinum and Orion Minerals.