Market Insights & Strategy

8 August 2025

Welcome to our inaugural issue of the Friday (GCC&E) real estate pulse. In Abu Dhabi, residential prices rose 17.3% YoY in 2Q2025 to an average of AED 1,230 per sqft, supported by strong demand from global high net worth buyers, as noted in Knight Frank’s latest review. Please read on…

Almaha Al Nuaimi, Analyst
Simon Ballard, Chief Economist, Market Insights & Strategy

24 July 2025

Our weekly analysis offering a strategic outlook for the coming week, along with key macro themes and trends impacting the GCC & Egypt region. The report also includes a recap on the past week, as well as a summary of the key data releases and macro events in the week ahead; along with macro chart packs covering the MENA & Global Markets.

Simon Ballard, Chief Economist
Almaha Al Nuaimi, Analyst

17 July 2025

In this edition we have reviewed the key primary and secondary market developments during H1 2025 and some key emerging trends. YTD hard currency new issuances from the region have reached $86bn, with Saudi issuers accounting for 54% share and UAE issuers’ share at 26%. Sukuk format remains a preferred choice for issuers, supported by strong demand and the depth of liquidity available with the Islamic investor base.

Rakesh Sahu, Analyst

13 June 2025

Our initial thoughts on Israel’s unilateral attack on Iran on 13th June morning.

Glenn Wepener, Chief Strategist, Market Insights & Strategy

02 June 2025

For nearly a decade Kuwait remained absent from international debt markets due to the lack of a legal framework permitting sovereign borrowing. With the recent approval of the new public borrowing law by the Parliament in March 2025, and the finance ministry's subsequent release of a comprehensive framework governing both internal and external borrowing entities, we believe the stage is now set for the sovereign’s much-awaited grand return to the international bond market this year — likely sooner rather than later.

Rakesh Sahu, Director, Market Insights & Strategy

14 January 2025

In this report we discuss the current outlook for EURUSD and its current descent toward parity. Whichever way we look at it – technically or fundamentally – we would suggest that the path of least resistance for EURUSD remains lower and that it is only a matter of time before the Euro reaches – and possibly breaks through – the psychological level of parity to the U.S. dollar. Indeed, such is the psychological impact of parity, that once it is breached it could trigger an exodus of sustained selling. Please read on…

Simon Ballard, Chief Economist, Market Insights & Strategy

11 December 2024

Global growth remained resilient throughout much of 2024 as robust job creation and solid household finances continued to drive consumer spending. Yes, there have been some setbacks in the global macro narrative recently such as the net disappointing U.S. nonfarm payrolls report for October, even after adjusting for hurricanes and strikes as well as the poorly received UK budget all of which has been drag on sentiment.

Simon Ballard, Chief Economist, Market Insights & Strategy

05 December 2024

As 2024 draws to a close, the impact of the past 12 months from conflicts to hotly contested elections will no doubt continue to be felt in the year ahead. In this piece we focus on a few of the key risks to keep an eye on in 2025, some of which are not that new but are becoming far more acute in our polarized world.

Glenn Wepener, Chief Strategist, Market Insights & Strategy

09 February 2024

This interview was recorded on 9th Feb 2024, discussing various topics including; the outlook for the oil market & some key risks to watch for this year