Author: Dr Issac PJ
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is beginning to strain refining operations across the Gulf, raising the prospect of refinery run cuts as storage tanks fill and export routes remain blocked.Energy analysts warn that the disruption — affecting one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints — could force refiners across the GCC to scale back operations if refined fuel exports remain constrained for several weeks. The Strait of Hormuz normally handles about 20 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude and petroleum products, roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption, making it the world’s most critical energy transit corridor.The…
The UAE’s banking and real estate sectors are expected to remain pillars of economic resilience despite geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, supported by strong liquidity, solid loan growth and sustained demand across key property markets.According to S&P Global Ratings, the UAE’s banking system has demonstrated “strong resilience and financial soundness,” placing it in a solid position to weather potential capital outflows or temporary economic disruptions linked to regional conflict.The ratings agency expects bank lending in the UAE to grow by 10 to 12 per cent annually in 2026 and 2027, supported by ample liquidity, strong corporate activity and the…
Dubai-based global logistics giant DP World reported record financial results for 2025, underlining the strength of its diversified global operations despite a volatile geopolitical and trade environment.The company announced that revenue rose 22 per cent year-on-year to $24.4 billion, while adjusted Ebitda increased 18 per cent to $6.4 billion, delivering a robust margin of 26.3 per cent. Strong growth across its Ports & Terminals and Logistics businesses helped drive the performance.Group profit climbed 32.2 per cent to $1.96 billion, supported by higher cargo volumes, improved pricing and disciplined cost management. Operating cash flow also strengthened, rising 14 per cent to…
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (Adia), one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds with assets estimated at more than $1 trillion, has partnered with global private investment firm Ardian to launch a new real estate secondaries platform, highlighting how Gulf investors continue to expand global dealmaking despite heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.The platform will focus on acquiring stakes in existing real estate funds and property portfolios from investors seeking liquidity — a segment known as real estate secondaries. The strategy has gained traction globally as rising interest rates, valuation resets and tighter financing conditions prompt investors to rebalance…
First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), the UAE’s largest lender and one of the region’s most profitable banks, has secured shareholder approval for a record Dh8.84 billion cash dividend following a year of strong earnings growth and balance-sheet expansion. At its Annual General Meeting held virtually on Tuesday, shareholders approved all agenda items including the distribution of 80 fils per share for the financial year ended December 31, 2025 — the highest cash dividend in the bank’s history. Shareholders registered on March 23, 2026 — those who purchased shares on or before March 19 — will be eligible to receive the dividend payout.The…
Despite escalating geopolitical tensions in the Gulf that have rattled global energy markets and financial assets, the region’s economies and capital markets remain well positioned to weather the turbulence, according to a new outlook from Mashreq Capital.The investment firm says the coming weeks will be critical in determining how global markets adjust to the crisis, but strong fundamentals in the Gulf — particularly in the UAE and Saudi Arabia — could help anchor stability even as investors navigate heightened volatility in oil prices, equities and bond markets.In its latest geopolitical overview, Mashreq Capital noted that the first week of March…
Start-up investment across the Mena region slowed in February 2026 after a stronger start to the year, but the UAE further strengthened its position as the region’s dominant venture capital hub, attracting nearly half of all funding deployed during the month.Start-ups across Mena raised $326.6 million through 62 deals in February, representing a 42 per cent decline from January and a 38 per cent drop compared with the same period last year. Analysts say the decline largely reflects the absence of mega deals rather than a retreat by investors, with early-stage funding continuing to drive deal activity.Despite the monthly slowdown,…
Gold’s historic rally has entered a volatile new phase as surging oil prices, intensifying geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and uncertainty over US monetary policy collide to reshape global financial markets.Yet analysts say the recent pullback in bullion prices may represent not the end of the rally but a consolidation phase in what remains one of the most powerful gold bull markets in modern history.Spot gold was trading around $5,160–$5,170 per ounce on Tuesday, rebounding modestly after slipping below $5,100 earlier this week as investors reassessed inflation risks triggered by the sharp rise in energy prices and the evolving…
The escalating crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has triggered one of the most severe maritime disruptions in recent decades, with hundreds of vessels — including around 200 oil and gas tankers — stranded across Gulf waters, choking energy supplies and raising fears of a global inflation shock. Shipping data from maritime intelligence firms and industry trackers show that traffic through the narrow but vital waterway has collapsed since hostilities intensified in the region, effectively paralysing the world’s most important energy corridor. Under normal conditions, between 130 and 150 ships pass through the strait every day, carrying crude oil, liquefied natural gas…
Global oil prices retreated sharply on Tuesday after US President Donald Trump signalled that the conflict with Iran could wind down sooner than expected, easing fears of a prolonged disruption to energy supplies from the Middle East. International oil benchmark, Brent North Sea crude, plunged 9.6 per cent to $89.44 a barrel, a day after it neared $120, reversing part of last week’s sharp rally that had pushed prices close to triple-digit territory amid escalating military tensions and concerns over the security of energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.The decline came after Trump said in a phone interview with…