Gold Hits Record High on US Rate Cut Bets

A jeweller shows a gold bar at his shop in downtown Kuwait City on May 20, 2024. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP)
A jeweller shows a gold bar at his shop in downtown Kuwait City on May 20, 2024. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP)
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Gold Hits Record High on US Rate Cut Bets

A jeweller shows a gold bar at his shop in downtown Kuwait City on May 20, 2024. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP)
A jeweller shows a gold bar at his shop in downtown Kuwait City on May 20, 2024. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP)

Gold prices scaled an all-time high on Wednesday, with recent comments from Federal Reserve officials boosting bets of a US interest rate cut in September.

Spot gold was up 0.1% at $2,470.89 per ounce, as of 0046 GMT, after hitting a record peak of $2,473.18 earlier in the session. US gold futures rose 0.3% to $2,473.70.

Markets are fully pricing in a rate cut of at least 25 basis points by the Fed at its September meeting, according to CME's FedWatch Tool, Reuters reported.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell said on Monday recent inflation readings "add somewhat to confidence" that the pace of price increases is returning to the Fed's target in a sustainable fashion, remarks that suggest a turn to rate cuts may not be far off.

The International Monetary Fund said on Tuesday that the global economy is set for modest growth over the next two years amid cooling activity in the United States, a bottoming-out in Europe and stronger consumption and exports for China, but risks to the path abound.



Madinah Investment Forum to Kick Off on Sunday

Madinah Investment Forum to Kick Off on Sunday
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Madinah Investment Forum to Kick Off on Sunday

Madinah Investment Forum to Kick Off on Sunday

The Madinah Investment Forum, organized by Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Chamber under the theme "Invest in Madinah", will start on Sunday and run for two days.
The forum consists of a diverse range of programs, events, and four specialized dialogue sessions focusing on key aspects of the national investment strategy. It will host 18 speakers and more than 40 entities, and present 200 investment opportunities, valued at over SAR57 billion, in more than ten targeted sectors, SPA reported.
The event will highlight Madinah's significant achievements and showcase development and investment projects in the region. It will explore promising investment sectors, comparative and competitive advantages, and the region's potential to support investment growth. Key areas of focus include hospitality, logistics, agriculture, and real estate.
The forum's objectives include identifying investment opportunities in Madinah, fostering investment partnerships, attracting new investments, and introducing financing solutions and business sector services for major development projects.
The event is aimed at a broad audience, including local and international investors, government agencies, development organizations, private sector representatives, investment agencies, financial institutions, consulting firms, and professional service providers.