Analysis Construction Jeddah Tower will be world’s tallest building, but sky’s the limit Since the invention of the modern high-rise in the early 1900s, to the completion of the Burj Khalifa in 2010, the height of the tallest building in the world grew nearly five fold, or 661 metres, going from the 167 metres of the Philadelphia City Hall to the Burj’s 828 metres. The Jeddah Tower, on […] November 15, 2024
Opinion Economy King Dollar is not a one-way bullish trade in Trumpworld How markets will react when Trump puts policies into action remains to be seen November 15, 2024
Agriculture Arizona to prosecute Saudi company over water use The attorney general of the US state of Arizona is set to launch legal proceeding in the next two weeks against the Saudi dairy company Almarai over groundwater pumping on two farms in the state. Fondomonte, an Almarai subsidiary, grows alfalfa for animal feed on 6,000 acres in Butler Valley, La Paz County, Arizona, which […] November 14, 2024
Opinion Logistics What Trump’s second term means for Middle Eastern logistics Should he use his influence to ease the Iran-Israel conflict, it could unlock significant economic benefits November 13, 2024
Construction US hardwood all the rage as UAE imports rise The UAE’s imports of US hardwood have spiked dramatically in the first three quarters of this year amid the construction boom in the emirates and neighbouring Saudi Arabia, as well as GCC consumers’ current preference for oak and walnut finishes. The value of American hardwood lumber sold in the UAE rose from approximately $9.5 million […] November 13, 2024
Analysis Economy US dollar strength persists despite long-foretold decline Since the end of the gold standard in the 1970s, financial industry observers have long predicted the US dollar’s demise as the preeminent global currency. Yet 10 weeks from Donald Trump’s second inauguration as US president, the dollar still reigns supreme – at least for now. This is despite periodic efforts by oil-exporting US rivals […] November 12, 2024
Banking and Finance Adia to buy $1bn stake in US software company Qlik Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund is buying a $1 billion stake in data analytics software company Qlik, the latest deal in a string of Gulf purchases from buyout groups. Thoma Bravo, a US buyout group that specialises in software businesses, acquired Qlik for $3 billion in 2016 and is to sell a stake to the […] November 11, 2024
Opinion Economy Trump’s second term poses challenges for the Gulf Economically, there are likely to be both costs and benefits for the GCC November 11, 2024
Manufacturing Lucid reports higher revenue but steeper losses Saudi-backed US luxury electric vehicle maker Lucid reported a larger net loss than last year in the third quarter, but said revenue rose 45 percent, slightly ahead of Wall Street expectations. The company’s losses of $992.5 million in Q3 compared with $630.9 million in 2023. Revenue reached $200 million, narrowly beating estimates of $198 million. Lucid […] November 8, 2024
Artificial Intelligence Sales of Nvidia stock soar in UAE in record rally As Nvidia’s stock market value hit $3.65 trillion on Thursday to make it the world’s most valuable company, so shares are in hot demand among retail investors in the Gulf. The Californian chipmaker overtook Apple, which previously held the record for the highest closing market capitalisation at $3.57 trillion on October 21. “It’s our most […] November 8, 2024
Opinion Finance Trump Derangement Syndrome, and how to treat it I thought Kamala had a chance. What if I was wrong? Unthinkable November 8, 2024
Analysis Economy Turkey to boost borrowing to bridge budget gap Turkey’s Treasury has issued its borrowing programme for 2025, seeking to build a bridge over the budget deficit through a mix of domestic and external debt offerings, though any instability in global markets could add to financing costs. Under the programme, the government will seek to raise the equivalent of up to $13 billion from […] November 8, 2024
Oil & Gas Oil prices fall as worries over US hurricane decline Oil prices fell slightly on Friday as the risk that a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico will significantly affect US oil and gas output declined, while the market weighs how President-elect Donald Trump’s policies might affect supplies. Brent crude oil futures fell 47 cents, or 0.6 percent, to $75.16 per barrel by 04:46 GMT. […] November 8, 2024
Energy NESR considers dual listing after Nasdaq return National Energy Services Reunited (NESR) is considering a dual listing as it prepares to ring the Nasdaq bell for the second time in its relatively short history. NESR was created in the UAE in 2017 through a special purpose acquisition company to raise money from New York and become the first publicly listed energy company […] November 8, 2024
Analysis Markets Dollar upbeat ahead of Trump’s White House return Donald Trump’s US presidential election victory has extended a dollar rally that began in late September on expectations that the real estate mogul’s return to the White House may ultimately force the Federal Reserve to resume interest rate rises. Five of the six GCC countries peg their currencies to the dollar, while the sixth – […] November 7, 2024
Opinion Trade Welcome back Donald, it’s time to get down to business Next 10 weeks are crucial for the Middle East, then there is much to look forward to from the new President November 7, 2024
Oil & Gas Oil slips as investors digest US election fallout Oil slipped on Thursday, extending a sell-off triggered by the US presidential election, as a strong dollar and lower crude imports in China outweighed supply risks from a Trump presidency and output cuts caused by Hurricane Rafael. Donald Trump’s election win initially triggered a sell-off that pushed oil down more than $2 as the dollar […] November 7, 2024
Analysis Tech US and China in race to get their tech into Gulf markets Gulf countries are likely to face mounting pressure to adopt American technology as the US tries to exploit its best-in-class semiconductor and artificial intelligence products to muscle China out of their markets before the Asian superpower catches up. The US is walking a fine line between increasing the regional uptake of its chips and software […] November 7, 2024
Markets China to sell dollar bonds in Saudi Arabia China will sell dollar bonds in Saudi Arabia this month, its first debt issuance denominated in the US currency since October 2021. The imminent issuance marks a further deepening of ties between Opec’s top oil producer and the world’s largest economy by purchasing power parity. China is Saudi Arabia’s most important trade partner, buying 16 […] November 6, 2024
Aviation Saudi Arabia and US expand aviation deal to include cargo Saudi Arabia and the US have expanded their bilateral aviation agreement to allow seventh freedom traffic rights for all-cargo flights. Seventh freedom allows airlines to carry on flights that originate in a foreign country, bypass its home country, and deposit the cargo or passengers at another international destination. The amendment will allow Saudi Arabian airlines […] November 6, 2024
Trade Arab world welcomes Trump back to the White House The Arab world has hailed Donald Trump’s successful bid to return to the White House, with his long-standing personal, business and political ties to the region bringing hopes of closer bilateral relationships with the United States for the next four years. The Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, was the first GCC leader […] November 6, 2024
Aviation QIA helps raise $318m for US electric aircraft maker A funding round led by the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) has raised $318 mlllion for Beta Technologies, a US electric aerospace company that is developing all-electric aircraft and infrastructure. Beta, based in Vermont, said the series C equity capital funding would help support the production, certification and commercialisation of its fixed-wing and eVTOL (electric vertical […] November 6, 2024