Ghost Wrap #38 (Nedbank | Absa | Exxaro | Northam | Sasol | Glencore | Vodacom | MTN | Cashbuild | Italtile | Nampak)

Welcome to Ghost Wrap, your twice-weekly update on the most interesting company news in the South African market.

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.

The Ghost Wrap podcast is proudly brought to you by Mazars, a leading international audit, tax and advisory firm with a national footprint within South Africa. Visit the Mazars website for more information.