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In this week’s episode of Ghost Wrap, we catch up on the public holiday week and the start of the new week across various sectors:

• In banking, Nedbank and Absa both released earnings that reflect a deteriorating credit outlook, particularly in retail banking in portfolios like home loans.
• In mining, the cycle has turned ugly for most players, with Exxaro, Northam Platinum, Sasol and Glencore as the latest examples.
• In telecoms, Vodacom’s fibre ambitions have hit a regulatory hurdle and MTN seems to have put together an exciting Fintech deal with Mastercard, announced alongside its earnings
• In building materials and home improvement, Cashbuild is taking a lot of strain and Italtile is also in the red, with consumer discretionary spending disappearing into inflationary pressures and higher interest payments.
• Finally, Nampak needs a R1bn rights offer to appease its lenders, along with disposals of non-core assets worth R2.6bn.

Listen to the podcast below: