Turkish Lira Flat after Touching Record Low, Cenbank Reserves Up

Turkish lira banknotes are seen in this illustration taken in Istanbul, Türkiye November 23, 2021. (Reuters)
Turkish lira banknotes are seen in this illustration taken in Istanbul, Türkiye November 23, 2021. (Reuters)
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Turkish Lira Flat after Touching Record Low, Cenbank Reserves Up

Turkish lira banknotes are seen in this illustration taken in Istanbul, Türkiye November 23, 2021. (Reuters)
Turkish lira banknotes are seen in this illustration taken in Istanbul, Türkiye November 23, 2021. (Reuters)

Türkiye's lira was mostly flat on Tuesday, after touching a new record low overnight, while bankers said the central bank's net reserves had marked their largest rise on record last week as it stopped using the reserves to support the lira.

The lira touched a record low of 26.10 against the dollar early on Tuesday during low liquidity hours and later firmed to as much as 25.55. But it later gave up those gains to stand at 26.03 at 0857 GMT, compared with a close of 26.05 on Monday.

The currency has weakened some 28% this year, largely after the re-election in late May of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has since moved to backtrack on his years of unorthodox economic policy.

As part of the policy pivot, the central bank stopped using its reserves to counter forex demand and support the lira. Its net reserves had touched an all-time low of negative $5.70 billion last month after a years-long decline.

Four bankers calculated that the central bank's net forex reserves had risen by about $8.5 billion last week to around $9 billion, which would mark the largest weekly rise on record.

The largest weekly rise in net international reserves was in February 2002 with $8.2 billion.

The bank's total reserves were also expected to have risen by about $4.5 billion to stand at about $107.5 billion as of June 23.

The central bank raised its policy rate by 650 basis points last week, in the strongest signal of a return to orthodoxy, after years of loose policy despite soaring inflation under Erdogan.

The increase was lower than expected, leading some analysts to suspect that new Central Bank Governor Hafize Gaye Erkan, a former Wall Street banker, may have limited room to maneuver under Erdogan.

The bank also rolled back some macroprudential measures it has implemented in recent years as part of its "liraization" targets.

Inflation surged after a late-2021 currency crisis that was sparked by rate cuts that Erdogan had called for, based on his view that interest rates cause inflation. Annual inflation touched a 24-year peak of 85.51% in October before easing.

Monthly inflation was seen at 4.84% in June, even as the annual reading was expected to decline slightly to 39.47%, according to a Reuters poll.



Abu Dhabi's Long-haul Carrier Etihad Airways Sees Record $476 ml Profit in 2024

An Etihad Airways plane lands at Heathrow during Storm Isha in London, Britain, January 22, 2024. REUTERS/Matthew Childs/File Photo
An Etihad Airways plane lands at Heathrow during Storm Isha in London, Britain, January 22, 2024. REUTERS/Matthew Childs/File Photo
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Abu Dhabi's Long-haul Carrier Etihad Airways Sees Record $476 ml Profit in 2024

An Etihad Airways plane lands at Heathrow during Storm Isha in London, Britain, January 22, 2024. REUTERS/Matthew Childs/File Photo
An Etihad Airways plane lands at Heathrow during Storm Isha in London, Britain, January 22, 2024. REUTERS/Matthew Childs/File Photo

Long-haul carrier Etihad Airways announced Wednesday it made a record $476 million profit in 2024, part of a financial rebound for the Abu Dhabi-based airline.

The airline had revenues of nearly $6.9 billion in 2024, compared to $5.5 billion in 2023. Its profit in 2023 was just $143 million.

Etihad attributed its higher profit to increased passenger numbers, a recovery in its cargo operations and cutting its costs. It flew 18.5 million passengers in 2024, up 32%. Its cargo revenues for the year were $1.1 billion, up 24%, The AP reported.

“These results are testament to the dedication of our people who have worked together for a purpose: delivering our strategy," CEO Antonoaldo Neves said in a statement. “Looking ahead, I am confident we will continue to be a financially strong airline delivering extraordinary customer experiences, fulfilling our shareholders' mandate and contributing to the long-term prosperity and success of the UAE.”

Etihad’s network now flies to 80 locations with a fleet of 97 aircraft.