Arabian Gulf stock markets may stay sluggish on Tuesday in the absence of fresh news or positive cues from global markets, while Egypt's bourse may outperform for a third day, buoyed by news of Saudi Arabian investment plans.
Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal will invest about US$800 million to expand the Four Seasons resort in Sharm El Sheikh, in partnership with Talaat Moustafa, Egypt's Investment Minister Sahar Nasr said on Monday. The news could buoy one of the Egyptian market's most active stocks.
The global environment is neutral, however, with Asian equities and oil prices little changed.
Moody's Investors Service changed the outlook on Qatar's banking system to negative from stable, citing weakening operating conditions and continued funding pressures, but this came as no surprise given Qatar's diplomatic crisis, and Moody's noted that Qatari banks' capitalisation would remain strong.
In Saudi Arabia, Al Tayyar reported that second-quarter net profit fell to 212 million Saudi riyals (Dh207.5m) from 297m riyals a year ago, missing forecasts of 229m riyals and 237.5m riyals by NCB Capital and Aljazira Capital.
Najran Cement also reported weak earnings, losing 4.2m riyals versus a year-earlier profit of 33.9m riyals.
In Dubai, however, the budget carrier Air Arabia reported a 19.2 per cent rise in second-quarter net profit to Dh150.7m, beating estimates by EFG Hermes and Sico Bahrain, which had forecast Dh95.9m and Dh96.3m.
* Reuters
'Panga'
Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Starring Kangana Ranaut, Richa Chadha, Jassie Gill, Yagya Bhasin, Neena Gupta
Rating: 3.5/5
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.