Gulf Markets Subdued Amid US Tariff Concerns And Powell’s Rate Comments

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 12, 2025

Major stock markets in the Gulf showed caution in early trading on Wednesday, as investors remained uncertain about the future of U.S. import tariffs and the Federal Reserve’s approach to rate cuts. U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade advisers were finalizing plans to impose reciprocal tariffs on countries that impose duties on U.S. imports, increasing fears of a global trade war.

In Saudi Arabia, the benchmark index (.TASI) dropped 0.3%, largely due to a 1.6% decline in petrochemical producer Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC). Saudi Aramco also saw a 0.3% loss. Oil prices, a key driver for Gulf markets, edged lower as U.S. crude stockpiles increased and tariff concerns dampened sentiment, although stronger refining margins helped to limit losses.

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In Dubai, the main share index (.DFMGI) decreased by 0.5%, impacted by a 3.8% fall in Dubai Islamic Bank (DISB.DU), despite the bank reporting an increase in annual profit. However, in Abu Dhabi, the index (.FTFADGI) edged up by 0.1%, buoyed by a 0.5% increase in Aldar Properties (ALDAR.AD), which reported a 37% year-on-year rise in fourth-quarter profit.

Qatar’s market (.QSI) declined by 0.3%, with telecom firm Ooredoo (ORDS.QA) falling by 1.9%. Investor attention is now focused on the upcoming U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, due at 1330 GMT.

Investor expectations for Fed rate cuts this year have been scaled back, with many now anticipating the central bank will hold rates steady in March and May. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell stated on Tuesday that the economy is in a strong position, and while the Fed isn’t in a hurry to cut rates, it remains ready to do so if inflation drops or the job market weakens.

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EU Moderates Emissions While Sustaining Economic Momentum

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

November 15, 2025

The European Union witnessed a modest decline in greenhouse gas emissions in the second quarter of 2025, as reported by Eurostat. Emissions across the EU registered at 772 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalents, marking a 0.4 percent reduction from 775 million tonnes in the same period of 2024. Concurrently, the EU’s gross domestic product rose by 1.3 percent, reinforcing the ongoing decoupling between economic growth and environmental impact.

Sector-By-Sector Performance

Within the broader statistics on emissions by economic activity, the energy sector—specifically electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply—experienced the most significant drop, declining by 2.9 percent. In comparison, the manufacturing sector and transportation and storage both achieved a 0.4 percent reduction. However, household emissions bucked the trend, increasing by 1.0 percent over the same period.

National Highlights And Notable Exceptions

Among EU member states, 12 reported a reduction in emissions, while 14 saw increases, and Estonia’s figures remained static. Notably, Slovenia, the Netherlands, and Finland recorded the most pronounced declines at 8.6 percent, 5.9 percent, and 4.2 percent respectively. Of the 12 countries reducing emissions, three—Finland, Germany, and Luxembourg—also experienced a contraction in GDP growth.

Dual Achievement: Environmental And Economic Goals

In an encouraging development, nine member states, including Cyprus, managed to lower their emissions while maintaining economic expansion. This dual achievement—reducing environmental impact while fostering economic activity—is a trend that has increasingly influenced EU climate policies. Other nations that successfully balanced these outcomes include Austria, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia, and Sweden.

Conclusion

As the EU continues to navigate its climate commitments, these quarterly insights underscore a gradual yet significant shift toward balancing emissions reductions with robust economic growth. The evolving landscape highlights the critical need for sustainable strategies that not only mitigate environmental risks but also invigorate economic resilience.

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