Business News Leaders

PSG cuts total dividend by 47.5%

PSG's diverse range of investments has given it a boost, helping it deliver an 18% rise in annual recurring headline earnings per share. Despite the growth on that end, it's decided to cut its total dividend by close to 48%. Business Day TV spoke to CEO Piet Mouton.

23 Apr 2020 12AM 5 min

Unloading Ramaphosa’s R500bn bazooka

President Ramaphosa has announced a historic R500 billion social and economic support package , roughly equating to 10% of the country’s GDP. Business Day TV spoke to Trudi Makhaya, Economic Advisor to President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Isaah Mhlanga, Executive Chief Economist at Alexander Forbes for their analysis of the package…

22 Apr 2020 2AM 13 min

Holy smokes, tobacco industry remains locked down

The tobacco industry has labelled President Ramaphosa’s ban on cigarettes as draconian in nature. Industry players are challenging the legality of the ban in court. Business Day TV spoke to Johnny Moloto, Head of External Affairs at British American Tobacco SA and Asanda Gcoyi, CEO of the Vapour Products Association…

21 Apr 2020 2AM 12 min

US oil goes into negative territory amid storage shortage

Oil futures have taken a sub zero dive, as concerns that the US will run out of storage pushed prices over the edge. The OPEC+ cuts announced so far, have not managed to offer the scenario much support, and Business Day caught up with RMB's John Cairns for more insight…

21 Apr 2020 2AM 4 min

SME retailers feeling the heat after 1 month of lockdown

The pressure is on for retailers in the SME space, and many companies unable to earn any income this past month have reported an inability to pay their monthly bills and their staff. Gary Alfonso speaks to Pavlo Phitidis, the CEO or Aurik Business Accelerator, about how SME’s are approaching…

21 Apr 2020 2AM 12 min

Will poverty and job losses cause more damage than Covid-19 in SA

Many commentators are saying South Africa simply does not have the economic depth – especially after the years of corruption and plunder under previous administrations – to come out healthy on the other side of the Covid-19 pandemic. But Dawie Roodt, Chief Economist at the Efficient Group, says the poverty,…

21 Apr 2020 2AM 13 min

Indlulamithi 2030 scenarios and the COVID-19 curve-ball

In 2018, stakeholders from various industries and walks of life met to conduct research into what it would take to achieve a socially cohesive South Africa by 2030. The research resulted in three possible scenarios, Nayi le walk, Gwara Gwara and Isibhujwa. Business Day TV spoke to Lumkile Mondi, Senior…

20 Apr 2020 2AM 14 min

How is Covid-19 impacting on construction sector

A sluggish economy, a decline in government spending and late payment of contractors by the state are just some of the factors that have been weighing on the local construction sector. Things don't seem to be looking up as the lockdown forced many businesses to temporarily shutdown. With an extended…

20 Apr 2020 2AM 4 min

What is Government's fiscal response to Covid-19 lockdown

All eyes are on the special Cabinet meeting today to see what the South African government delivers in the form of a fiscal response to Covid 19. Will it be the fire hose we need to extinguish the fires raging across the economy or more buckets as we’ve seen so…

20 Apr 2020 2AM 26 min

IMF predicts worst economic downturn due to Covid-19

The IMF expects the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to result in the worst recession since the Great Depression. Business Day TV spoke to Montfort Mlachila, the IMF's Senior Resident Representative in SA, for more perspective.

17 Apr 2020 2AM 8 min

How the state is budgeting amidst Covid-19

Government is fast running out of fiscal ammunition to fight the coronavirus impact on the economy. Public Enterprises Minister, Pravin Gordhan's refusal to top up funds for SAA's Business Rescue process further signals that priorities have had to shift, and with SAA is not one of them, the airline is…

16 Apr 2020 2AM 7 min

Covid-19 has been disastrous for Aviation

In the latest Financial Mail, the impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on the aviation industry, globally and locally, has been described as nothing short of a disaster. Gary Alfonso speaks to FM Editor Rob Rose and Economic Editor Clair Bisseker, on that and other impacts Covid-19 has had on South…

16 Apr 2020 2AM 13 min

How SA's franchise sector is fighting for survival during Covid-19

Upmarket pizza chain Col'Cacchio is embroiled in a dispute with 18 franchisees over royalty fees. Business Day reports that the pizza franchise, which runs 29 restaurants across the country, is pushing back against the restaurant owners who are trying to back out of their contractual obligations because they can't generate…

16 Apr 2020 2AM 8 min

What is the state of prompt payment during the lockdown?

Getting customers to pay on time is one of the biggest challenges for business owners and when the problem persists too long, it can ultimately shut down a small business. Especially in these tough times when no other revenue is coming in. Business Day TV's Michael Avery speaks to Waheed…

16 Apr 2020 2AM 8 min

Why Trump pulled the plug on WHO Funding

The World Health Organisation has lost about 15% of its funding for the next 60 days. US President Donald Trump decided to withdraw his aid to the body who he accuses of mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus. Defunding will impact the fight against the coronavirus and…

15 Apr 2020 2AM 7 min

How Covid-19 is impacting the Agri sector

The agri sector has not been as hard hit by covid-19 as other sectors in the economy. Business Day TV caught up Wandile Sihlobo, Chief Economist of the Agri Business Chamber with who has cautioned against the number of challenges that could could potentially weigh on profitability.

15 Apr 2020 2AM 6 min

How retailers are coping with the lockdown

Business Day TV spoke to Sa'ad Chothia from Nedbank CIB about how retailers having been dealing with the lockdown, with particular focus on the ones that do not provide essential services.

15 Apr 2020 2AM 4 min

Sarb cuts rates by 100 basis points to 4.25%

The Sarb's Monetary Policy Committee met earlier than scheduled today and decided to cut the repo rate by another 100 basis points to 4.25%. Business Day TV spoke to Varushka Singh from RMB for further perspective on the decision.

14 Apr 2020 2AM 4 min

Why Capitec withholds annual dividend

A 22% rise in customer growth has given Capitec a boost. As a result, the lender has reported a 19% rise in annual headline earnings. The bank is however an outlier in terms of its growth given that its peers have only managed low single digit growth. The Sarb has…

14 Apr 2020 2AM 13 min

SOE outlook amid SA's economic pressures

South Africa's economic situation is under pressure. The country's set to register a large contraction this year, along with a budget deficit that could possibly exceed 10% of GDP. Business Day TV spoke to Investment banker and former CEO of the South African Post Office Mark Barnes, about what this…

9 Apr 2020 2AM 7 min