Moneyweb interviewed Makwe Masilela of Makwe Fund Managers about markets struggling to find direction at the end of the US earnings season. The discussion covered JSE performance, commodities and resources, China’s weaker-than-expected GDP, the US debt ceiling, share buybacks and Brent crude rising above $90 a barrel amid heightened Gulf tensions, according to the Moneyweb item.

South African power utility Eskom faces scrutiny over the sustainability of its profitability as municipal debt owed to it climbs to nearly R120 billion while electricity sales volumes decline by 6.2%. According to The Citizen Business, the figures raise questions about whether the utility's financial gains are being achieved at the expense of struggling municipalities and consumers, amid ongoing concerns about affordability and declining demand across the country.

Moneyweb's market update covers Old Mutual's latest results, FNB market commentary, Poland's investment commitment, and Angola's sale of Standard Bank shares. The programme also examines, with PSG, money flowing out of the US financial system, and discusses agricultural growth in the SADC region with Wandile Sihlobo, according to the publication's feed.

South African households are under severe financial strain as the rising cost of essentials consumes a growing share of monthly incomes, according to IOL. The report indicates that many families are reaching breaking point, with spending on necessities such as food, transport and utilities outpacing earnings. The squeeze on disposable income highlights mounting pressure on consumers already grappling with a tough economic environment, leaving little room for savings or non-essential spending.

In the second quarter of 2026, South African household finances showed signs of easing, although the ratio of household debt to nominal disposable income increased to 62.2% in the first quarter from 61.8% in the previous quarter, according to The South African Biz.

According to TimesLIVE, South Africa is addressing challenges posed by illicit trade, including smuggling and tax evasion, while also dealing with the economic conditions that allow shadow markets to thrive. The country's fiscal constraints further complicate these issues, impacting affordability and the effectiveness of enforcement measures.