
Holding the line: fiscal discipline takes centre stage
National Treasury Director-General Duncan Pieterse says South Africa’s core fiscal challenge is structurally low economic growth that trails population expansion.

National Treasury Director-General Duncan Pieterse says South Africa’s core fiscal challenge is structurally low economic growth that trails population expansion.

Momentum Investments’ latest behavioural research shows fewer portfolio switches and lower overall ‘behaviour tax’ last year.

South Africa’s removal from the EU’s high-risk list eases regulatory friction, but economists caution that rebuilding investor confidence will be gradual.

Despite a 20% drop in the value of new business, Momentum’s annuity earnings remain strong and underlying profitability resilient, lifting normalised headline earnings 41%.

Lump-sum product sales in Momentum Corporate and Metropolitan Life weakened, while life annuity volumes continued to grow in Momentum Investments.

Momentum Investments’ latest Sci-Fi Report reveals how switching funds at the wrong time continues to erode returns, with behaviour tax remaining alarmingly high post-Covid-19.

Headline inflation softened to 5.2% in April, but the upside risks remain, particularly from food prices.

The drier El Niño weather pattern is emerging as one of the biggest risks to the outlook for food inflation.