Weekly summary of corporate finance activity by South African exchange listed companies.

Aspen has released the APAC deal circular. Exxaro's dividend is much higher. Investec's UK business is lagging. Momentum is largely positive. Schroder European Real Estate remains unappealing to me.

Markets are sending a surprisingly calm signal in the face of escalating conflict with Iran. Oil prices are rising, supply chains are under pressure, and recession risks are quietly ticking higher, yet equities remain relatively steady. In the latest episode of No Ordinary Wednesday, Jeremy Maggs is joined by Investec experts in SA and the UK - Callum Macpherson, Phil Shaw and Chris Holdsworth - to unpack what’s really at play. The conversation explores what happens if the conflict drags on for longer, what key indicators markets are watching and what risks to the global economy are already emerging.

Weekly summary of corporate finance activity by South African exchange listed companies

Private equity is shifting gears. As rates turn and investor confidence improves, funds are deploying again, and South Africa is firmly back on the radar. But this isn’t a return to excess, it’s a shift toward smarter leverage, disciplined execution and sharper capital structuring. In the latest episode of No Ordinary Wednesday, Jeremy Maggs speaks to Rishanth Pillay, Head of Sponsor Leveraged Finance at Investec Corporate & Investment Banking, about what’s driving the renewed momentum – and what could derail it.

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.

Water scarcity is no longer a future risk. It is already reshaping how businesses operate, invest and grow in South Africa. In this episode of No Ordinary Wednesday, recorded after an Investec and Proparco water-resilience event, Jeremy Maggs is joined by Dr Sean Phillips, Director-General of the Department of Water and Sanitation; Helen Hulett, water-security advisor; and Melanie Humphries, Head of Sustainable Solutions at Investec.

Rainbow Chicken's earnings have doubled, while Sea Harvest's earnings have quadrupled! Vodacom is making hay while the sun is shining in Egypt. Sappi is trading at COVID and GFC levels and expects more pressure on earnings in the next quarter.