Author: Dr Issac PJ

Gold’s latest price movements have left investors and jewellery buyers weighing whether the recent pullback signals the beginning of a deeper retreat or simply a natural cooling period after an exceptional rally. In the UAE, gold prices edged modestly higher on Friday, reflecting resilience in local demand and broad support from global factors.According to Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group, 24-carat gold closed at Dh482.75 per gram, up from Dh479 the previous day, while 22-carat traded at Dh447, 21-carat at Dh428.50, and 18-carat at Dh367.50. The gains were measured, but notable for occurring during a week when global bullion prices have…

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has crossed a major global finance milestone: financial firms operating from the centre now manage $28.6 trillion in assets worldwide.In just ten years, ADGM has evolved from a new entrant into the financial landscape into one of the most rapidly expanding financial centres globally, drawing some of the world’s most influential asset managers, private equity houses, hedge funds and institutional investors to Abu Dhabi,   according to the Alternative Investment Management Association(AIMA).Since 2015, ADGM’s trajectory has been defined by accelerated growth and rising international confidence. The number of financial firms based in ADGM has surged…

Dubai is preparing to take a major step that could reshape its financial and trade architecture for the decade ahead. DMCC, the world’s largest free zone and international business district, has announced plans to launch a new financial centre that will serve as the financial engine of its fast-growing business ecosystem.The move signals a new phase in Dubai’s evolution — from a global gateway hub to a city where trade, finance, technology, and capital converge seamlessly.The announcement was made during DMCC’s latest Made For Trade Live roadshow in Vietnam, where more than 550 Vietnamese business leaders explored Dubai as a platform…

Dubai’s residential property market continued to expand in the third quarter of 2025, with a steady pace of new launches and completions aligned to the emirate’s rising population and sustained investor appetite.According to Savills’ latest Dubai Residential Market Report, the city recorded over 10,000 new residential units launched in Q3 2025, reflecting confidence among developers while signalling a more measured approach to pipeline expansion compared to the peak launch cycles of recent years.Apartments accounted for 97 per cent of all new launches during the quarter, the report notes, underscoring a broader structural shift in supply toward high-density communities where pricing, amenities and accessibility offer…

Gold demand surged to an unprecedented level in the third quarter of 2025 as investors worldwide sought refuge from rising geopolitical tensions, inflationary pressures and global economic uncertainty. The World Gold Council’s latest data shows that total demand, including over-the-counter transactions, reached 1,313 tonnes valued at $146 billion — the highest quarterly total on record — underscoring gold’s status not just as a crisis hedge, but as a core store-of-value asset in portfolios.The surge was driven most notably by investment flows which rose 47 per cent year-on-year to 537 tonnes, accounting for more than half of all gold demand during the…

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) has reported a sharp rise in earnings for the first nine months of 2025, driven by strong leasing demand, expanded maintenance capacity and the integration of aircraft lessor Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC), which it acquired earlier this year.DAE said its profit before tax surged 100 per cent to $653 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, compared with $326.6 million a year earlier. Total revenue climbed to $1.28 billion from $1.02 billion, reflecting strong fleet utilisation and a broader global recovery in commercial aviation.Operating cash flow increased to $1.13 billion from $904 million in the…

Majid Al Futtaim has unveiled Maravelle at Ghaf Woods, positioning it as Dubai’s first ultra-premium wellness-led residential destination designed for homeowners who place wellbeing and nature at the centre of daily life.The launch comes at a time when Dubai’s wellness and lifestyle real estate sector is surging, driven by affluent buyers seeking homes that prioritise health, privacy, green space and meaningful community living.Maravelle is located at the heart of Ghaf Woods, Dubai’s first forest community, and offers just 96 carefully curated homes across four boutique buildings. The approach is intentionally exclusive: wide open green spaces, architecture designed to breathe, and…

The initial public offering (IPO) landscape in the UAE continues to strengthen as companies tap buoyant investor appetite, regulatory reforms and supportive macroeconomic conditions. While overall Mena IPO activity saw 11 listings raising about $0.7 billion in the third quarter of 2025, the UAE remains one of the most closely watched markets in the region, with a growing pipeline of listings expected to come to market over the next several quarters.According to the latest EY IPO Eye Q3 2025 report, the number of IPOs in the wider region rose by 120 per cent compared with the same period a year earlier,…

Demand for wires and cables in the Middle East is projected to grow sharply over the next five years, driven by a wave of infrastructure expansion, renewable energy deployment, industrial capacity building, and rapid electrification across the region.Industry estimates suggest the regional market will rise from about $23 billion at present to more than $32 billion within five years, reflecting sustained investments in construction, power transmission, rail, logistics and electric mobility networks.Analysts say the UAE and Saudi Arabia are at the forefront of this surge. The UAE continues to accelerate development across real estate, clean energy and manufacturing, while Saudi…

Dubai’s commercial real estate sector continued its strong upward trajectory in the third quarter of 2025, driven by robust demand for Grade A office space, surging off-plan activity and a sharp rebound in the retail property market.Total commercial property sales reached Dh30.38 billion in Q3, up 31 per cent from a year earlier, according to CRC Property’s latest Q3 2025 Market Report — underscoring the emirate’s continued evolution as a global business and investment hub.The office market once again proved to be the engine of growth. Total office sales reached Dh3.1 billion across 1,153 units during the quarter, reflecting an…