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Oil Jumps on Trump's Iran Threat

A pump jack operates near a gas turbine power plant in the Permian Basin oil field outside of Odessa, Texas, US February 18, 2025. REUTERS/Eli Hartman
A pump jack operates near a gas turbine power plant in the Permian Basin oil field outside of Odessa, Texas, US February 18, 2025. REUTERS/Eli Hartman
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Oil Jumps on Trump's Iran Threat

A pump jack operates near a gas turbine power plant in the Permian Basin oil field outside of Odessa, Texas, US February 18, 2025. REUTERS/Eli Hartman
A pump jack operates near a gas turbine power plant in the Permian Basin oil field outside of Odessa, Texas, US February 18, 2025. REUTERS/Eli Hartman

Gold soared to a fresh record near $5,600 on Thursday and oil prices climbed after US President Donald Trump ramped up geopolitical tensions with threats of a military strike on Iran.

"With the Middle East tinder box looking set to ignite again, oil prices have moved sharply higher, lifting shares in listed energy giants," said Susannah Streeter, chief investment strategist at Wealth Club, AFP reported.

Stock markets mostly rose in Asia and Europe as investors also pored over company earnings and the US Federal Reserve's latest policy update.

Frankfurt slid almost one percent in midday deals, however, dragged down by German software giant SAP.

Its share price tumbled nearly 14 percent after the company warned it would see a slowdown in new cloud computing contracts this year after missing targets last year.

Gold hit a new record at $5,595.47 an ounce as investors rush to assets deemed safe, including silver, which reached its own record of $120.44 an ounce.

The precious metals are being helped by a softer dollar, sparked by speculation that Trump is happy to see the world's reserve currency weaken despite the potential risk of pushing up US inflation.

An uneventful policy announcement by the Fed on Wednesday did little to inspire buying, though observers said traders were optimistic that US interest rates will come down as Trump prepares to name his pick as the next governor of the central bank.

Trump has meanwhile warned that Tehran needed to negotiate a deal over its nuclear programme, which the West believes is aimed at making an atomic bomb.

"Hopefully Iran will quickly 'Come to the Table' and negotiate a fair and equitable deal -- NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS -- one that is good for all parties. Time is running out, it is truly of the essence!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

"The next attack will be far worse! Don't make that happen again," he added, referring to US strikes against Iranian targets in June.

International benchmark Brent crude oil briefly topped $70 a barrel Thursday for the first time since September with a gain of more than two percent.

On stock markets, Meta jumped in after-hours trade after the US parent of Facebook and Instagram published quarterly earnings that topped expectations, as revenue grew along with investments in artificial intelligence.

South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics posted record quarterly profits Thursday, riding massive market demand for the memory chips that power AI.

Ahead of the Wall Street open, US chemicals group Dow said it would slash 4,500 jobs and use artificial intelligence and automation to improve productivity and boost profitability by at least $2 billion.

- Key figures at around 1145 GMT -

Brent North Sea Crude: UP 2.2 percent at $6.03 per barrel

West Texas Intermediate: UP 2.6 percent at $64.88 per barrel

London - FTSE 100: UP 0.6 percent at 10,217.82 points

Paris - CAC 40: UP 0.5 percent at 8,110.53

Frankfurt - DAX: DOWN 0.9 percent at 24,597.26

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: FLAT at 53,375.60 (close)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 0.5 percent at 27,968.09 (close)

Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.2 percent at 4,157.98 (close)

New York - Dow: FLAT at 49,015.60 (close)

Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1952 from $1.1944 on Wednesday

Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3798 from $1.3797

Dollar/yen: UP at 153.49 yen from 153.38 yen

Euro/pound: UP at 86.62 pence from 86.56 pence

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Business

Saudi Arabia Concludes Privatization Program

The Saudi capital (Reuters)
The Saudi capital (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Concludes Privatization Program

The Saudi capital (Reuters)
The Saudi capital (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia’s Council of Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA) has approved the conclusion of the Kingdom’s Privatization Program after its implementation and objectives were fully completed, in line with the roadmap established when the initiative was launched in 2018.

The decision was taken during a meeting held via videoconference on Wednesday, during which the council also reviewed key developments in the domestic and global economic landscape.

The council highlighted the strong competitive capabilities of the Saudi economy in confronting expected global shifts in 2026, noting that current financial indicators reflect an upward trajectory driven by robust growth in non-oil sectors, alongside the recovery of petroleum activities and the expansion of the national industrial base.

Launched in 2018, the Privatization Program aimed to support national economic growth, strengthen the role of the private sector, and identify government assets, services, and resources suitable for privatization across multiple sectors. The program sought to improve the quality and efficiency of public services while reducing their cost for individuals and businesses.

At the start of its virtual meeting, the council reviewed the monthly report submitted by the Ministry of Economy and Planning, which addressed recent developments in the global economy and growth prospects for 2026 amid ongoing challenges, as well as their potential impact on the national economy and its ability to adapt to global economic changes.

The report underscored the positive trend reflected in various economic and financial indicators, including GDP growth driven by continued expansion in non-oil activities, the recovery of oil-related sectors, rising industrial output, and stable inflation, supported by government measures to regulate real estate prices and maintain balance in the property market.

The conclusion of the Privatization Program marks a transition from a foundational phase to a new phase focused on implementation and maximizing impact. This shift will be guided by the National Privatization Strategy, which has reviewed targets, developed new opportunities, and established a comprehensive national framework for prioritizing initiatives across key sectors.

Business

Gold Eyes $5,600 on Flight to Safety; Silver Tops $120

Gold bars with Chinese characters reading “Fortune Gold” are seen at a gold shop in Hangzhou, in China’s eastern Zhejiang province on January 26, 2026. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT
Gold bars with Chinese characters reading “Fortune Gold” are seen at a gold shop in Hangzhou, in China’s eastern Zhejiang province on January 26, 2026. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT
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Gold Eyes $5,600 on Flight to Safety; Silver Tops $120

Gold bars with Chinese characters reading “Fortune Gold” are seen at a gold shop in Hangzhou, in China’s eastern Zhejiang province on January 26, 2026. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT
Gold bars with Chinese characters reading “Fortune Gold” are seen at a gold shop in Hangzhou, in China’s eastern Zhejiang province on January 26, 2026. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT

Gold marched ahead on Thursday, hovering just shy of $5,600 an ounce as investors rushed into safe havens amid geopolitical and economic unease, while silver vaulted past $120.

Spot gold shot up 3% to $5,560.07 an ounce by 0557 GMT, after hitting a record $5,594.82 earlier in the day. The metal has hit record-highs for nine straight sessions, Reuters said.

"Gold prices are (rising on) safe-haven demand because of the strange geopolitical situation and even the political situation in the US, (which is) not looking great. There are concerns around Fed independence. And when that happens, investor trust in ‌the financial system ‌gets shaken up," said ANZ analyst Soni Kumari.

Investors are ‌worried ⁠about the US ‌Federal Reserve's independence amid the Trump administration's criminal investigation into Chair Jerome Powell, efforts to fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook, and the looming nomination of Powell's replacement in May.

"Growing US debt and uncertainty created by signs that the global trade system is splintering into regional blocs as opposed to a US-centric model (are leading investors to pile into gold)," said Marex analyst Edward Meir.

The yellow metal jumped past the $5,000 mark for the first time on Monday and ⁠has gained more than 10% so far this week, with strong safe-haven demand, firm central bank buying, and ‌a weaker dollar, all driving prices higher.

Gold has already ‍gained more than 27% this year, ‍following a 64% jump in 2025.

"Although the parabolic nature of the rally suggests ‍a pullback is not far away, the underlying fundamentals are expected to remain supportive throughout 2026, positioning any dips as attractive buying opportunities," IG market analyst Tony Sycamore said.

US President Donald Trump urged Iran on Wednesday to come to the table and strike a deal on nuclear weapons. He warned that any future US attack would be far more severe than the one last year when Iranian nuclear sites were struck.

Tehran responded ⁠with a threat to strike back against the US, Israel, and those who support them.

Meanwhile, the Fed left rates unchanged on Wednesday, as widely expected. Powell said inflation in December was likely still well above the central bank's 2% target.

With elevated gold prices, customers have been flocking to precious metal traders in Shanghai and Hong Kong, with some betting it could rise even further.

Elsewhere, spot silver was up 1.4% at $118.25 an ounce after hitting a record high of $120.45 earlier. Demand from investors looking for cheaper alternatives to gold, along with supply shortages and momentum buying, helped the white metal, which has already jumped more than 60% thus far in 2026.

Spot platinum climbed 2.8% to $2,770.49 an ounce, after hitting ‌a record high of $2,918.80 on Monday, while palladium rose 1.6% to $2,107.37.

Business

Saudi Arabia Exempts High-Growth Sectors from Franchise Experience Rule

One of the franchising roadshows organized by the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises to support entrepreneurs (SPA)
One of the franchising roadshows organized by the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises to support entrepreneurs (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Exempts High-Growth Sectors from Franchise Experience Rule

One of the franchising roadshows organized by the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises to support entrepreneurs (SPA)
One of the franchising roadshows organized by the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises to support entrepreneurs (SPA)

Saudi Arabia will allow selected high-growth and innovative sectors to offer franchises without meeting a long-standing operational experience requirement, in a move aimed at accelerating investment and broadening entrepreneurship.

The decision aligns with Vision 2030's goals to expand opportunities in sectors that support national economic growth and meet local market demand.

According to the information, the Council of Ministers approved the non-application of Article Five of the Franchise Law to certain franchisors. The article required businesses to operate for at least 1 year through at least two outlets before offering franchises.

The exemption targets key sectors, including transport and logistics, aviation and defense, entertainment and tourism, sports, healthcare, mining, and renewable energy.

The move is intended to strengthen the local economy’s regional and global competitiveness by creating a flexible environment that allows innovative projects to expand rapidly through franchising, without waiting for traditional establishment periods.

Franchisors must, however, present a clear and detailed business model, including a feasibility study and guarantees of success.

Strict criteria to protect franchisees

To ensure investment quality, the government has set specific conditions for benefiting from the exemption, including:

Franchisors must submit a clear, detailed business model that includes operational guidelines and a market analysis, serving as a practical manual supported by a feasibility study that underpins success.

The franchised activity must be innovative or offer a product or service that contributes to national economic development or meets local market demand. Applications will be assessed based on innovation, economic impact, or responsiveness to market needs.

The exemption also requires that franchisors not charge franchisees any consideration before operations begin. Fees may be collected only after revenues are generated, as defined in the agreement, to reduce operational risks for franchisees and link payments to actual performance.

Specialized committee

To ensure governance, the information revealed the formation of a specialized committee, chaired by the Ministry of Commerce, with members from the Ministries of Investment, Economy, and Planning.

The committee will evaluate exemption applications based on economic impact and the quality of the proposed business model.

A modern system for a secure investment environment

Saudi Arabia’s Franchise Law, approved in 2019, is considered a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s modern commercial regulatory framework. It aims to enhance transparency and clarity in the relationship between franchisors and franchisees, while providing legal protection for both sides.

The law promotes franchising activity in the Kingdom by establishing a clear regulatory framework governing the relationship between franchisors and franchisees, reinforcing transparency and clarity.

It provides necessary protections for both parties and enables informed investment decisions that help raise the quality of goods and services offered in Saudi Arabia.

The provisions of the Franchise Law apply to any franchise agreement implemented within the Kingdom. The law sets a minimum experience requirement for franchisors, regulates the contractual relationship between the parties, and defines their rights and obligations.

It also requires franchisors to disclose key risks, rights, and obligations associated with franchise opportunities, and governs the renewal, termination, or transfer of franchise agreements.