The Weekly Shyft: Episode 9

Standard Bank South Africa

This is the ninth audio episode of The Shyft Lift, the regular news digest of the app for the globally-minded, based in South Africa. In this episode, we learn more about top emerging markets and SA’s hydrogen power plans, plus 15 facts you never knew about the stock market.

Inflation has risen slightly since the low points in May 2020, with the rise in commodity prices continuing to benefit SA and the ZAR. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUgu-VgBIFk&t=178s)

The single biggest intra-African trade relationship is the $4.84-billion of goods shipped annually between SA and Mozambique. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f9aZrWdnFc&ab_channel=WorldBank; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idsiLMKvvhk&ab_channel=NewAfrica)

For the first three months of 2021, South Africa’s equity returns of 12.3% were in the top five of emerging markets globally, well ahead of Taiwan, India, Russia and Mexico. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KqtaKp59xs&t=659s&ab_channel=Displore)

SA’s gross loan debt (as a percentage of GDP) increased to 77.1% from 62.2% over the year. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XraqqnkVzqg)

Funds flowing into local collective investments showed a distinct rise in 2020. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XraqqnkVzqg&ab_channel=eNCA)

Limpopo’s platinum mines could lead the way in the race to decarbonise energy. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkWshqvv8XM&t=77s&ab_channel=MiningWeekly)

Want some conversation starters?

The unknown holder of 28% of Dogecoin is worth $2.1-billion. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXVK8dyu3Cg; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLYs-zpUNog&ab_channel=CNBCTelevision; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXVK8dyu3Cg&ab_channel=GlennBeck)

A giant pumpkin of 867.5kg has set a new South African record. (https://www.sapeople.com/2021/03/27/new-south-african-record-for-heaviest-pumpkin/; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blYPvp7NRP0&ab_channel=LiveFree)

Jeff Bezos reflects on stepping down as CEO of Amazon. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C46Ln--IXFs&t=128s; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk5PvibuBpM&t=156s&ab_channel=BloombergTechnology; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuJEVSANWiQ&t=71s&ab_channel=NBCNews)

A study indicates that sleep trackers Fitbit and Oura come out on top when it comes to measuring total sleep time, total wake time and sleep efficiency. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAcasFNzUl8&t=74s; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mcsez1NmsjM&t=39s&ab_channel=OURA; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alKVYSIxGpw&ab_channel=Fitbit)

Shyft is an app for global citizens based in South Africa, powered by Standard Bank. It helps you buy, send and store local and foreign currency anytime, anywhere, directly from your mobile. Visit getshyft.co.za to download the app today.

The Standard Bank of South Africa is an authorised financial services provider (FSP 11287).

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