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Investors muted by Fed leadership change and mixed earnings

Investors were cautious in early trading on Thursday as they digested mixed earnings from corporates and continued to be wary of the leadership of the U.S. Federal Reserve.

The expectation of a more accommodating Fed policy has increased in response to weaker macroeconomic data from the United States and Donald Trump's nomination of dovish candidates for the Fed board. According to CME FedWatch, traders now price in a 95.2% probability of a rate cut for September, up from 63% by the end of July.

The U.S. monetary policy changes have a major impact on Gulf markets where the majority of currencies are pegged with the dollar.

Dubai's benchmark index fell 0.4% due to declines in financial and real estate shares. Emaar Properties dropped 1% while Emaar Development fell 2.3%.

Emaar Properties, Dubai’s largest property developer posted a 39.7% increase in net profit for the second quarter attributable shareholders compared to last year, but a 9% drop from the previous period.

The benchmark Abu Dhabi index fell 0.1% due to a loss of 0.4% in International Holding, and a drop of 2.6% in Agthia Group which posted a loss in the second quarter. Burjeel Holding, on the other hand, surged by 4.8% after reporting a net profit that was more than doubled.

Saudi Arabia's benchmark index fell 0.2% with the majority of constituents reporting losses. Petro Rabigh dropped 1.6% after the petrochemical firm reported a net loss of 1,37 billion riyals for its second quarter.

Savola Group fell 1% after the food giant reported a 22% drop in net quarterly profit year-on-year.

The benchmark index in Qatar rose by 0.1%. Qatar Aluminum Manufacturing rose by 2.6% after reporting a 44 percent increase in net profit for the first half of the year. (Reporting and editing by Md. Manzer Hussain)

(source: Reuters)