| As South Africa confirmed its first case of COVID-19 yesterday, local companies continued to warn of the risk the coronavirus poses, directly and indirectly. For Standard Bank, it is another factor that will weigh on global economic growth this year as well as sentiment. Aspen Pharmacare will feel the effect more directly as it makes active pharmaceutical ingredients in China and says its commercial team there has been largely inactive since last month. While its inventory holdings are sufficient for now, it's keeping a close watch. Standard Bank released annual results yesterday and Aspen published its interim numbers and I've included some of the details in your final newsletter for the week. Momentum Metropolitan Holdings was also out with results that show a continued improvement under its three-year Reset and Grow strategy. Santam, however, was hindered by higher claims due to catastrophes and crop damage early last year. Also today, Stadio beat its pre-listing forecasts with its 2019 results and all the latest mergers and acquisitions news from DealMakers too. Finally, with Sasol's shares trading at their lowest in 15 years, Ingham Analytics' latest note - "What a gas" - questions whether too much bad news has been priced in. Follow this link for more. I hope you have a good day. Stephen Gunnion Managing Editor, InceConnect
Join 3340 other SMEs in South Africa who have received business loans from Funding Hub FundingHub helps all small businesses to apply in under six minutes for business finance, comparing multiple accredited finance providers and to make the most appropriate choice based on theirbusiness needs. Click here to get started. | 