Anglo American Platinum, Harmony Gold and Merafe are the latest resources companies to warn of the threat Eskom's latest bout of load shedding poses to their businesses. Combined with an already difficult economic environment, Merafe says it threatens the viability of the wider ferroalloys sector. Harmony has cancelled underground shifts until Eskom can assure it of reliable power supply. Impala Platinum is also reported to have stopped night shifts due to the power shortage, while Amplats says it will miss its cost targets as a result. While the mining industry has been forced to take prompt action due to the dangers unstable power supplies pose, other sectors are also feeling the pressure, particularly as the festive season approaches. And economists are concerned that it could result in negative growth for the fourth quarter of the year, which would result in a technical recession and possibly trigger a downgrade by Moody's early next year. Tongaat Hulett also released its much-anticipated results yesterday, saying its core business remains strong and cash flows are positive even as it posted a significant loss for the year to March. Meanwhile, Prosus says its bid for UK food delivery company Just Eat has been cleared by the Spanish Markets and Competition Commission, just one of the regulators it needs approval from if it wins over Just Eat's shareholders. Even as it grows its food delivery operations, the consumer internet group is still very much driven by its stake in Chinese internet and gaming giant Tencent. Ingham Analytics has just issued a report on another Chinese internet giant, Baidu, which you can access here. Finally, if you've heard about the Golden Visa and want to know how to get one, here's an investment opportunity that will diversify your portfolio with offshore exposure at the same time. One of the asset classes many are looking at now is an investment in offshore real estate, which in some cases is made all the more attractive by the bonus of a 'Plan B' residency programme. Portugal's Golden Visa programme will get you residency in a country that has the additional advantages of a great climate, a well-run, business-friendly government, and one of Europe's top-performing property markets. Click here to find out more about the Golden Visa. Have a good day. Stephen Gunnion Managing Editor, InceConnect
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