Author: Dr Issac PJ

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…

The UAE’s economy is expected to remain resilient despite escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, supported by strong fiscal buffers, diversified growth engines and one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth portfolios, according to the latest assessment by S&P Global Ratings.The ratings agency reaffirmed the UAE’s ‘AA/A-1+’ sovereign credit rating with a stable outlook, highlighting the country’s exceptional fiscal and external strength even as regional conflict raises short-term economic risks.S&P analysts Juili Pargaonkar and Olivia K. Grant said the UAE’s vast financial resources and policy flexibility should help shield the economy from the worst effects of regional instability.“Our base-case…

Dubai’s status as a global financial hub received another vote of confidence as ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company, one of India’s largest investment managers, launched its first international office at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a move that could strengthen capital flows between India and the Gulf even as geopolitical tensions rattle global markets.The new DIFC office will serve as a regional investment hub for institutional and high-net-worth investors across the GCC and Africa, providing access to India-focused investment opportunities spanning equities, fixed income, multi-asset strategies, alternatives and real estate.The launch comes at a time when markets across the…

Global oil markets are witnessing one of their sharpest rallies in years as the escalating conflict involving Iran sends shockwaves through energy markets and raises fears of a prolonged supply disruption in the Middle East, the world’s most critical oil-producing region.Brent crude and US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) have surged close to 30 per cent since the latest escalation of hostilities, pushing prices above $100 a barrel for the first time since 2022. WTI climbed to around $117.50, up nearly 29 per cent, while Brent crude rose to about $117.70, gaining almost 27 per cent as traders priced in the…

Indian investors are once again emerging as the dominant force behind Dubai’s booming real estate market, reinforcing the emirate’s status as one of the most attractive overseas property destinations for Indian capital despite rising geopolitical tensions in the Gulf.Even as escalating tensions involving Iran and parts of the Middle East raise questions about regional stability, Dubai’s property sector continues to draw strong interest from Indian buyers, who account for the largest share of foreign property investments in the emirate.Analysts say the continued inflow of Indian capital — from high-net-worth individuals, business families and diaspora professionals — has become a crucial…