Author: Dr Issac PJ

Gold continues to play an outsized role in shaping economic security and financial stability across the world, and the latest rankings from the World Gold Council (WGC) show a familiar pattern of dominance with some striking new shifts. As of mid-2025, the United States remains the undisputed leader, holding 8,133 tonnes of gold, while India and the UAE are climbing the ladder at a record pace, underscoring the precious metal’s enduring strategic value.The US gold stockpile, stored largely at Fort Knox, represents the backbone of its monetary credibility. It underpins the dollar’s role as the world’s reserve currency, bolsters Washington’s ability…

India is rethinking its decision to stay out of the world’s largest free trade bloc as it scrambles to cushion the blow from steep new tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump.Officials in New Delhi confirmed that discussions have begun on whether India should return to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which it exited in 2019 over concerns about trade deficits and risks to farmers and small manufacturers.The rethink comes amid a worsening trade spat with Washington. US tariffs of up to 50 per cent are being levied on Indian exports in response to New Delhi’s increased purchases of…

Abu Dhabi’s residential property market is undergoing a telling transformation with buyers  — ranging from families to investors—increasingly turning their gaze toward ready villas and townhouses, fuelling an upswing in secondary-market activity.According to realty experts, this shift, reflected in increased sales volumes and elevated prices, mirrors the shrinking presence of off‑plan transactions amid limited new supply.A report by Cavendish Maxwell shows that ready villa and townhouse sales in the first half of 2025 surged by an 72 per cent year‑on‑year, propelling volumes to their highest level since 2021. This rise translated into roughly 2,300 completed‑home transactions out of some 3,300 total…

Jerome Powell’s recent Jackson Hole address marked a notable shift in the Fed’s tone — one that has reverberated throughout markets and reinvigorated gold’s appeal.The Federal Reserve chair underscored mounting concerns about a cooling jobs market, while acknowledging inflation risks remain real — a delicate balancing act that traders greeted by pricing in an 85 per cent chance of a 25‑basis‑point cut in September, with further easing anticipated before year‑end. Financial markets were quick to react: US Treasury yields and the dollar both declined, setting the stage for broader asset gains.As this shift took hold, gold’s trajectory turned upward. After…

Gold prices are surging once again as investors grapple with a complex mix of economic and political uncertainties that continue to bolster the yellow metal’s appeal as a safe-haven asset. On Tuesday, spot prices climbed above $3,330 per ounce, consolidating in a narrow range as markets balanced expectations of a breakthrough in the Ukraine conflict against lingering doubts over the US Federal Reserve’s policy outlook.The rally comes in the wake of fresh tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, which have rippled through global markets. Tariff receipts in July alone topped $27 billion, a record high, but analysts note these…

Dubai has consolidated its position as the world’s capital of branded residences, outpacing legacy luxury real estate hubs such as Miami, London, and New York, as buyers increasingly seek homes that fuse lifestyle, identity, and community with prestige and long-term value.With 48,474 branded units spread across 144 developments, and more than 5,500 new residences added in the first half of 2025 alone, the emirate is leading a global transformation in luxury living that reflects the evolving priorities of a new generation of property buyers.Branded residences, luxury homes developed in collaboration with internationally recognised names, are no longer confined to partnerships…

The UAE has achieved another landmark milestone in its pursuit of global competitiveness, advancing to 16th place worldwide in the 2025 Government Support Index, a key indicator in the International Institute for Management Development’s (IMD) World Competitiveness Yearbook.The achievement marks a remarkable leap of 27 places compared to its 43rd position in 2024, reflecting the country’s ongoing drive to strengthen fiscal efficiency and align public spending with sustainable growth goals.The Government Support Index measures the value of government support as a percentage of gross domestic product and serves as a benchmark for the effectiveness of public resource management. It highlights…

Dubai’s villa market has emerged as the standout segment of the emirate’s booming real estate sector, with a sharp surge in prices, intensifying demand, and limited supply pushing homes in prime villa communities into record territory. Latest research shows that villas, long prized for their space, privacy, and lifestyle advantages, now account for just seven per cent of all homes listed for sale in Dubai, underscoring the scarcity that continues to fuel their desirability. According to eXp Dubai, while villas make up only a fraction of the emirate’s overall housing stock, certain neighbourhoods remain heavily weighted towards them, providing focused…

The GCC’s asset management industry has entered a new phase of expansion, reaching $2.2 trillion in assets under management (AuM) in 2024 — a 9 per cent increase from the previous year — according to a new report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG). The strong momentum is being powered by sovereign wealth funds (SWFs), retail mutual fund growth in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and a rapid embrace of digital transformation. The region’s trajectory is unfolding against a backdrop of global market volatility, fee compression, and evolving investor preferences. Yet experts say the GCC has carved out a unique position,…

The Middle East and North Africa’s mergers and acquisitions (M&A) landscape showed remarkable momentum in the first half of 2025, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia continuing to lead the region’s deal value. According to the latest EY Mena M&A Insights report, a total of 425 deals worth $58.7 billion were recorded in H1 2025, marking a 31 per cent increase in volume and a 19 per cent rise in value compared with the same period last year. The UAE and Saudi Arabia together attracted $27.9 billion in investments, reinforcing their status as the twin anchors of the region’s deal-making…