Business

Gulf Stock Markets Rebound Strongly Amid Ceasefire Agreement Stock markets across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) surged this week following the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, easing investor concerns over regional stability and boosting confidence in equities. Major indices in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait recorded solid gains as trading volumes picked up and geopolitical tensions subsided. Dubai Financial Market led the rally with a 1.3% gain on Thursday, closing at a 17-year high. Key drivers included strong performances from Dubai Islamic Bank and toll operator Salik, both of which posted notable gains. In Abu Dhabi , the market climbed 0.8%, with RAK Properties and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank among the top performers, signaling increased investor appetite in the real estate and banking sectors. Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul index rose for a fourth consecutive session, up 0.9%. Heavyweights such as Al Rajhi Bank and Saudi Aramco helped...

  ADNOC Announces $440 Billion U.S. Investment Drive, Marking Six-Fold Expansion Abu Dhabi, June 2025 — In a landmark announcement that underscores the deepening economic ties between the United Arab Emirates and the United States, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has unveiled plans to increase its investments in the U.S. energy sector six-fold over the next decade, totaling an estimated $440 billion. The announcement was made by Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Group CEO of ADNOC and the UAE’s Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, during a high-level event in Washington, D.C. He emphasized that the United States is not just a key market but an "investment imperative" for ADNOC, highlighting the strategic importance of the American energy and technology landscape. This bold expansion strategy will include a wide range of initiatives such as a major anchor investment in the largest LNG project currently under development in Texas, a significant expansion in petrochemi...

World Bank Cuts Global Growth Forecast Amid Trade Tensions and Inflation Worries The World Bank has revised its global economic growth forecast for 2025 , lowering it from 2.7% to 2.3% , marking one of the slowest projected expansions in recent decades. The downgrade reflects mounting pressure from persistent trade tensions , elevated tariffs , and geopolitical uncertainty . According to the World Bank’s latest report, the global economy is entering a period of “prolonged fragility,” as both advanced and developing markets grapple with the aftereffects of inflationary shocks, high borrowing costs, and disrupted investment flows. “The outlook remains clouded by uneven recovery, tight credit markets, and ongoing global trade fragmentation,” the report stated. Emerging markets, which were previously expected to drive global growth, are now expected to face headwinds due to reduced foreign investment and declining export volumes. Meanwhile, advanced economies are dealing with sluggish co...

  Nasdaq Dubai announced the listing of a $500 million Sukuk issued by Mashreq, one of the leading financial institutions in the UAE. The successful listing further reinforces Dubai’s position as a global hub for Islamic finance and strengthens Nasdaq Dubai’s status as the region’s leading platform for Sukuk listings. The listing ceremony was attended by senior executives from Nasdaq Dubai and Mashreq, highlighting the growing collaboration between financial markets and Islamic banking institutions. A Key Milestone for Mashreq This $500 million Sukuk issuance is part of Mashreq’s broader strategy to diversify its funding base and tap into the increasing global demand for Shariah-compliant financial instruments. "The listing of our latest Sukuk on Nasdaq Dubai marks an important step in our ongoing efforts to support the growth of Islamic finance while meeting investor demand for ethical and Shariah-compliant investments," said Ahmed Abdelaal, Group CEO of Mashreq. The S...