Breaking News Today- Tuesday 19 August 2025

Business & Tech News 

South African Bank Results positive for H1

ABSA, South Africa’s largest retail bank, saw double-digit growth in its half year results published yesterday. In Particular its business outside South Africa showed a 13% headline earning growth with its Africa region contributing 32% of total revenue and 34% of group earnings. All three South African banking majors saw growth in H1, with a mixed bag of outcomes. Standard Bank saw profits grow by 8% to nearly R24 billion with an return on equity of 19%, Nedbank posted a smaller 6% rise in headline earnings per share with better credit quality, while Absa was the standout, with its HEPS jumping 17% to almost R12 billion thanks to lower levels of bad debts for the period.

SoftBank Investment Gives Intel a Soft Landing

Japanese conglomerate SoftBank has announced yesterday that it is to invest $2 billion in US tech and chip major, Intel in a deal described as a commitment to advanced technology and semiconductors in the United States. Itel has been under pressure after its gross income dropped by over 20% last year. The agreement, in which SoftBank will buy Intel common stock, was announced Monday after markets closed. SoftBank will pay $23 per share of Intel common stock. Shares of Intel, which closed at $23.66, rose by more than 5% in after-hours trading. SoftBank Group shares however have dropped 2% this morning, retreating from all-time highs after its investment in Intel was released.

Masayoshi Son, Chairman & CEO of SoftBank Group Corp said that “Semiconductors are the foundation of every industry. For more than 50 years, Intel has been a trusted leader in innovation. This strategic investment reflects our belief that advanced semiconductor manufacturing and supply will further expand in the United States, with Intel playing a critical role.” SoftBank’s investment represents approximately 87 million common stock shares, representing about a 2% stake and making SoftBank one of Intel’s top-10 shareholders. Shares in Intel have devalued by over 17% so far in 2025.

SA Fruit Exports to US Surge in Q2

South Africa’s produce exports to the United States rose 26% in the second quarter following strong harvests, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen said yesterday, however with a 30% tariff imposed by President Donald Trump future shipments are in jeopardy. South Africa is attempting to negotiate lower tariffs in a proposed trade deal with the U.S. after the Southern African major economy was hit with the highest rate in Sub-Saharan Africa. The U.S. is South Africa’s second-biggest bilateral trading partner after China. South Africa exports citrus, grapes, apples, pears, nuts and wine to the U.S. and has indicated that tens of thousands of jobs in the farm sector could be lost due to the impact of tariffs. The value of total exports from Africa’s largest economy to the U.S. was $161 million during the quarter, according to Steenhuisen’s statement.

Business, Tech & Market News Shorts: 

• Silver futures dropped below $38 per ounce today, reversing recent gains as signs of progress in Ukraine peace negotiations reduced safe-haven demand. Yesterday, US President Donald Trump met with European leaders to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine, after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and suggested a meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, 
• Kenya is considering buying back over $3,5 billion in government debt bonds before they mature. this move will allow the Treasury to retire higher-cost or near-term debt proactively, potentially at a discount, while issuing fresh bonds with extended loan periods.. This aligns with broader debt management strategies seen earlier in 2025.
• The market for autonomous vehicles (AV) is expected to grow ninefold to almost $700 billion by 2040, up from $78 billion last year, according to an ambitious forecast in a comprehensive AV investing report recently published by Bank of America called “AV you can drive my car — Autonomous Vehicle Primer.”
• The Nikkei 225 fell 0.2% to around 43,650 while the broader Topix shed 0.1% to 3,118 today, as Japanese equities eased from record highs amid profit-taking and cautious sentiment. SoftBank (-2%), Sanrio (-6.5%), Fujikura (-3.2%) and Mitsubishi UFJ (-2%) have all seen declines this morning.

Markets by Numbers

Currencies: 

Currency markets today indicate the US Dollar is currently trading flat after gains late yesterday and currently trading against the Euro at 1.16645 and against the Pound at 1.35090 The Yen is currently trading at 147.71 to the dollar. The rand (ZAR)is currently at R17.64 to the US dollar.

Commodities:

• Gold futures prices are currently trading marginally higher this morning, and currently at $3339.57 per ounce.  
• Copper prices are trading upwards today, with prices currently at $4.4677
• Silver futures prices are trading flat today, and currently at $37.990
• Platinum futures are trading level this morning, and are currently trading at $1324.40 While Palladium prices are marginally lower this morning and currently at $1109.50
• Brent crude oil prices are currently at $66.14, with WTI trading at $62.92 
• Cocoa futures are trading marginally higher today, after a price slump late yesterday, and currently at $8095.53 per ton. 
• Coffee futures are up by over 0,5%, and are currently trading at $345.37, up over 7% so far this week.

Crypto Currencies:

• Bitcoin prices are currently at $115211 after retreating from highs last week on profit taking.
• Ether prices are currently down by over -1.6% and at $4241 
• $Trumpcoin is currently trading around $9.01

(All prices quoted at approximately 07H30 Central African Time) 

Other Breaking News in Africa Today

Tanzanian Opposition Leader’s Trial Not to be Broadcast

In escalating political tension in the country, a Dar es Salaam court yesterday banned media from live broadcasting the trial of Tanzania’s main opposition leader, Tundu Lissu, who has been charged with treason. Magistrate Franco Kiswaga who approved the media ban, said this was put in place to protect the identities of civilian witnesses.”Live streaming, live broadcast, and any other kind of live distribution of content online to the public including on social media or video broadcast … are hereby prohibited,” Kiswaga ruled during preliminary proceedings on Monday at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court. In April, Lissu was arrested following a speech that prosecutors said called on the public to disrupt presidential and legislative elections scheduled for October.

If convicted, the politician, could face the death penalty. Lissu condemned the decision to keep the trial behind closed doors, saying that the ban would allow the court to operate in “darkness” and prevent his supporters from following the case, “Justice must be done and be seen to be done,” he said. Lissu is the leader of Tanzania’s biggest opposition party, CHADEMA, which has been banned from participating in the general election in October after demanding changes to an electoral process that it claimed favours the ruling party.