Author: Dr Issac PJ

Dubai’s residential rental market is poised to stabilise through 2026 as a wave of new supply begins to moderate price growth after several years of steep increases, according to fresh data from Allsopp & Allsopp and other industry analysts.Latest figures show the market entering a more balanced phase, with demand remaining robust but rental inflation easing across several key segments, particularly apartments. Industry experts say the shift signals a maturing property cycle rather than a downturn, with rents expected to plateau in many communities as more units are handed over.Data from Allsopp & Allsopp for January revealed a 48 per…

Ansari Exchange marked its 60th anniversary with a strong focus on the rapid surge in online transactions and the growing importance of the UAE’s advanced digital financial ecosystem, underscoring how technology is reshaping money transfers and payment services across the region.The UAE’s largest outward personal remittance and foreign exchange company, and a subsidiary of Al Ansari Financial Services, celebrated the milestone during Ramadan that was  attended by Chairman Mohammad Ali Al Ansari, board members and senior executives. Founded in 1966 with a single branch in Abu Dhabi’s Central Market, Al Ansari Exchange has evolved into one of the region’s leading financial…

Bitcoin retreated sharply toward the $65,000 level on Monday as global investors turned cautious following a US court ruling on tariffs and fresh trade policy uncertainty, highlighting the cryptocurrency’s continued sensitivity to macroeconomic shocks and institutional fund flows.The world’s largest cryptocurrency fell as much as 5 per cent in early trading before stabilising near $65,000, extending a volatile stretch that has seen digital assets struggle to regain upward momentum. The latest slide comes after the US Supreme Court struck down sweeping tariff powers previously invoked by the Trump administration, only for Washington to quickly announce a new 15 per cent…

The US dollar weakened against most major and emerging market currencies, including the Indian rupee, after a landmark US Supreme Court ruling struck down sweeping emergency tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, triggering fresh uncertainty over US trade policy and growth prospects and reshaping currency dynamics for global investors and expatriates.The Indian rupee strengthened by nearly 20 paise to trade around 90.76 against the dollar in early Asian trade on Monday, recovering from Friday’s close of 90.98, as the greenback slipped broadly in global markets. The dollar index, which measures the currency against six major peers, fell about 0.35 per…

The Central Bank of the UAE has issued a comprehensive guidance note on the responsible adoption and use of artificial intelligence and machine learning across the country’s financial sector, marking a significant regulatory step to safeguard consumers while enabling innovation in digital finance.The framework applies to all licensed financial institutions and aims to ensure that the rapid deployment of artificial intelligence across banking, insurance and financial services does not compromise consumer rights, transparency or financial stability. The regulator said the move reflects its proactive supervisory approach to digital transformation and aligns with the UAE’s broader ambition to position itself as…

Global oil markets are bracing for potential volatility as geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran raise the risk of a sharp price surge, with analysts warning crude could jump by as much as $15 a barrel if the standoff escalates from rhetoric to direct action.Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate have already begun to climb amid mounting uncertainty, with Brent recently trading above $71 a barrel and US crude hovering near $66, marking their highest levels since last summer. Prices have risen steadily in recent weeks as traders weigh the probability of military escalation against ongoing diplomatic efforts to…

Dubai’s surging population and improving borrowing conditions have propelled the emirate’s real estate market to unprecedented levels, with total property transactions climbing to a record Dh916 billion as demand from new residents and global investors reshapes the residential landscape heading into 2026.The city’s population has crossed the four-million mark, underscoring its growing appeal as a global hub for business, talent and wealth migration.The milestone comes after Dubai added nearly 18,000 new residents in a single month by the end of August 2025, reflecting a sustained influx of professionals, entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals drawn by job opportunities, lifestyle advantages and long-term…

Dubai’s villa market is witnessing a powerful new pricing dynamic, with proximity to top-tier international schools emerging as a key driver of capital growth across some of the emirate’s most established residential communities, according to fresh data from property advisory firm BlackBrick.The latest Property Monitor Dynamic Price Index (DPI), which tracks the three-month moving average median price per square foot across 42 master communities, shows that mature villa neighbourhoods with easy access to leading schools are significantly outperforming the broader market.Areas such as Victory Heights, The Lakes, Meadows, Jumeirah Islands and The Greens have recorded some of the strongest price…

The UAE has emerged as one of the world’s fastest adopters of artificial intelligence, ranking third globally with a 56 per cent adoption rate in 2025 as businesses, government entities and consumers rapidly embrace AI-powered tools, a new global study shows.  According to research by Cybernews, AI adoption in the UAE surged from just 10 per cent in 2023 to 27 per cent in 2024 and then doubled again to 56 per cent in 2025, reflecting the country’s aggressive push to position itself as a global technology and innovation hub. The findings are based on analysis of download data for…

Oil prices surged to their strongest one-day gain in months before stabilising, as mounting tensions between the US and Iran rattled energy markets and revived fears of supply disruptions from the Middle East, a region that pumps roughly one-third of the world’s crude.  Brent crude climbed 4.3 per cent in the previous session — its biggest single-day gain since October — to hold above $70 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) traded above $65. The rally followed reports that Washington could be preparing for possible military intervention in Iran sooner than markets had anticipated, with diplomatic negotiations over Tehran’s…