NOW ep95: Global economy: Recession or recovery?

Loading player...
Recession risks, inflation pressures, and trade tensions - how is the global economy shaping up in 2025? Investec’s Chief Economists, Phil Shaw (UK) and Annabel Bishop (SA), take stock of the latest trends in No Ordinary Wednesday. From global growth forecasts to the economic outlook for Europe and South Africa, they break down what lies ahead.

Podcast key moments:

00:00 – Introduction
01:02 - How will the evolution of US trade, defence, and foreign aid policies influencing the global macroeconomic outlook in the coming months?
02:21 - What are the key factors influencing your global economic growth projections?
03:53 - GDP growth in South Africa for 2025 is likely to fall below 1.5%, what’s contributing to this downward revision?
05:41 - What will be the implications of slower growth on business confidence in South Africa?
06:33 – Was there anything in South Africa's Budget Speech 2025 that could turn the economic tide?
07:56 - What factors are you watching that would determine the growth path of the US in the coming months? Is a recession looming?
09:47 - What are some of the main headwinds currently affecting economic growth in Europe?
11:17 - What changes might we see due to new leadership changes in the EU?
12:49 - Do you see any challenges for European nations given their current fiscal positions?
14:28 – What stimulatory measures should the South African government be looking at to accelerate growth?
16:36 - What are those emerging economies contending with when it comes to economic growth? And how does that impact the global economy?
19:36 - What factors are you watching that could derail global growth?
20:49 - How has the fragmentation of the global economy influenced South Africa's trade relationships and economic strategy?

Read more on www.investec.com/now

Hosted by seasoned broadcaster, Jeremy Maggs, the No Ordinary Wednesday podcast unpacks the latest economic, business and political news in South Africa, with an all-star cast of investment and wealth managers, economists and financial planners from Investec. Listen in every second Wednesday for an in-depth look at what's moving markets, shaping the economy, and changing the game for your wallet and your business.
Chapters
  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 01:02 How will the evolution of US trade, defence, and foreign aid policies influencing the global macroeconomic outlook in the coming months?
  • 02:21 What are the key factors influencing your stance global economic growth projections?
  • 03:53 GDP growth in South Africa for 2025 is likely to fall below 1.5%, what’s contributing to this downward revision?
  • 05:41 What will be the implications of slower growth on business confidence?
  • 06:33 Was there anything in Budget Speech 2025 that could turn the economic tide?
  • 07:56 What factors are you watching that would determine the growth path of the US in the coming months? Is a recession looming?
  • 09:47 What are some of the main headwinds currently affecting economic growth in Europe?
  • 11:17 What changes might we see due to new leadership changes in the EU?
  • 12:49 Do you see any challenges for European nations given their current fiscal positions?
  • 14:28 What stimulatory measures should the South African government be looking at to accelerate growth?
  • 16:36 What are emerging economies contending with when it comes to economic growth? And how does that impact the global economy?
  • 19:36 What factors are you watching that could derail global growth?
  • 20:49 How has the fragmentation of the global economy influenced South Africa's trade relationships and economic strategy?
17 Mar 2025 English South Africa Business · Investing

Other recent episodes

Everything Counts | Episode 39: Young professionals and the debt trap

Drowning in credit offers the moment you land your first paycheck? You’re not imagining it, from store cards to buy-now-pay-later, young professionals are being pulled into debt faster than they can say “credit approved". In this episode of Everything Counts, host Motheo Khoaripe sits down with Investec’s Keshnie July, Lending…
12 Jan 22 min

Macro Monday Ep 100: A year when valuations mattered

In the first episode of Macro Monday for 2026, our Chief Investment Strategist Chris Holdsworth looks at market performance over the last year. While US equities added 18% in 2025, it lagged behind global equities (up 23%) and an array of countries, including South Africa. One of the top-performing currencies…
12 Jan 10 min

Art in Focus Series 2 | Ep 1: The business of art

Listen to Frank Kilbourn of Strauss & Co. and Ashleigh McLean of Whatiftheworld Gallery on how galleries and auction houses navigate market cycles, build sustainable artist careers, and assign value in a constantly shifting art ecosystem. They also share invaluable insider-insights on upcoming artists to watch. Key moments: 00:00 Introduction…
4 Jan 34 min

Everything Counts | Episode 38: Financial Lessons from 2025

As the year wraps up, it's the perfect moment to pause, reflect, and refocus. From building a resilient wealth mindset to navigating digital risks, future-proofing your estate plans, rethinking retirement, and making smarter energy choices — this year’s conversations have reshaped how we think about money, security, and long-term wellbeing…
29 Dec 2025 29 min

What next? | Rewiring finance for a better future

Group Chairman of Standard Chartered, José Viñals, Sarah Kemmitt, former lead of the UN Net Zero Banking Alliance and Dr. Nina Seeger, Director of CISL Centre for Sustainable Finance discuss how finance can accelerate sustainable development more effectively. From addressing the mispricing of climate and nature risk, to correcting market…
18 Dec 2025 48 min