عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Business

EU Cuts 2021 Economic Outlook as Virus Spreads

Two women wait in line at a bakery in Antwerp, Belgium, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020. Belgium, proportionally still the worst-hit nation in Europe when it comes to coronavirus cases, said Wednesday there increasing signs of that a turning point in the crisis was drawing close. The announcement came in the wake of increased measures over the past weeks with bar and restaurant closures capped by a partial lockdown starting last Monday, which further restricted close contacts and closing non-essential shops. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)
Two women wait in line at a bakery in Antwerp, Belgium, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020. Belgium, proportionally still the worst-hit nation in Europe when it comes to coronavirus cases, said Wednesday there increasing signs of that a turning point in the crisis was drawing close. The announcement came in the wake of increased measures over the past weeks with bar and restaurant closures capped by a partial lockdown starting last Monday, which further restricted close contacts and closing non-essential shops. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)
TT
TT

EU Cuts 2021 Economic Outlook as Virus Spreads

Two women wait in line at a bakery in Antwerp, Belgium, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020. Belgium, proportionally still the worst-hit nation in Europe when it comes to coronavirus cases, said Wednesday there increasing signs of that a turning point in the crisis was drawing close. The announcement came in the wake of increased measures over the past weeks with bar and restaurant closures capped by a partial lockdown starting last Monday, which further restricted close contacts and closing non-essential shops. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)
Two women wait in line at a bakery in Antwerp, Belgium, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020. Belgium, proportionally still the worst-hit nation in Europe when it comes to coronavirus cases, said Wednesday there increasing signs of that a turning point in the crisis was drawing close. The announcement came in the wake of increased measures over the past weeks with bar and restaurant closures capped by a partial lockdown starting last Monday, which further restricted close contacts and closing non-essential shops. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

The European Union's executive commission on Thursday lowered its growth forecast for the economic rebound from the coronavirus pandemic next year and said the economy wouldn´t reach pre-virus levels until 2023.

The regular autumn forecast foresees the economy of the 19 countries that use the euro growing only 4.2% in 2021 instead of the previous estimate of 6.1%.

The downgrade comes as governments record increasing numbers of infections, sick people in hospitals, and deaths, leading to renewed restrictions on businesses and activity. The commission added a warning that the situation with the virus means that its growth forecasts "are subject to an extremely high degree of uncertainty."

"Output in both the euro area and the EU is not expected to recover its pre-pandemic level in 2022," the commission said in a statement accompanying the forecast report.

The eurozone and the wider 27-country European Union economy saw a robust rebound in July, August and September, following lockdowns and cautious consumer behavior in the first half of the year that crushed business activity. Third-quarter GDP increased by 12.7% from the previous quarter, the largest increase since statistics started being kept in 1995. That robust re-opening contributed to the commission raising its estimate for output for all of this year, now saying that the economy would shrink by only 7.8% this year instead of the earlier forecast for a drop of 8.7%.

EU Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis said that "This forecast comes as a second wave of the pandemic is unleashing yet more uncertainty and dashing our hopes for a quick rebound... But through this turbulence, we have shown resolve and solidarity."

Dombrovskis cited the wide-ranging stimulus and economic assistance measures taken at the EU level, led by a recovery package that will dispense 750 billion euros in loans and grants to get the economy going again from 2021.

National governments have also enacted a range of business and worker support measures including tax breaks, loans and paying wages for employees put on short hours so businesses don't lay them off. The European Central Bank is pumping 1.35 trillion euros ($1.58 trillion) into the economy through regular bond purchases, a step aimed at keeping credit flowing affordably to businesses.

The recent darkening of prospects has led ECB President Christine Lagarde to say after the bank's Oct. 28 meeting that there was "little doubt" that a policy review at the Dec. 10 meeting would lead to more central bank action to support the economy.

Most Viewed

 
 
Business

US Stocks Dip on Mixed Earnings as Markets Monitor Iran

A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) at the opening bell in New York on March 24, 2026. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)
A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) at the opening bell in New York on March 24, 2026. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)
TT
TT

US Stocks Dip on Mixed Earnings as Markets Monitor Iran

A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) at the opening bell in New York on March 24, 2026. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)
A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) at the opening bell in New York on March 24, 2026. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)

Wall Street stocks retreated from records early Thursday as markets digested a trove of mixed earnings reports and monitored the latest dynamics between the United States and Iran.

Analysts cited profit-taking after both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq shrugged off a jump in oil prices to finish at records on Wednesday.

About 10 minutes into trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.4 percent at 49,311.39, AFP reported.

The broad-based S&P 500 dipped 0.2 percent to 7,126.19, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index declined 0.3 percent to 24,588.07.

David Morrison, senior market analyst at FCA, called Thursday's early trading action "a mild bout of profit-taking triggered by some worrying reports of hostile action between the US and Iran," according to a note.

The US Defense Department said its forces boarded a vessel in the Indian Ocean that was transporting oil from Iran, while President Donald Trump announced on social media that he ordered the Navy to "shoot and kill" boats placing mines in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran vowed it would keep the strait closed to all but a trickle of approved vessels for as long as the United States blockaded its ports.

Among companies reporting results, Tesla fell 1.7 percent and Lockheed Martin dropped 3.7 percent, while American Airlines jumped 4.9 percent.

Business

What Does the Inclusion of Saudi Bonds in the J.P. Morgan Index Mean?

Saudi woman walks at the Saudi stock market in Riyadh - Reuters
Saudi woman walks at the Saudi stock market in Riyadh - Reuters
TT
TT

What Does the Inclusion of Saudi Bonds in the J.P. Morgan Index Mean?

Saudi woman walks at the Saudi stock market in Riyadh - Reuters
Saudi woman walks at the Saudi stock market in Riyadh - Reuters

Saudi Arabia’s debt market is set for a strategic shift in early 2027, following J.P. Morgan’s announcement that local-currency bonds will be included in its global emerging markets bond index. The move represents a vote of confidence in the Kingdom’s structural reforms and is expected to open the door to substantial capital inflows that will help finance major economic transformation projects.

In a note, J.P. Morgan said the move follows a series of reforms to improve foreign investor access and enhance local market capabilities.

The bank added that Saudi sukuk, Shariah-compliant debt instruments that function similarly to bonds, with a remaining maturity of up to 15 years, will be eligible for inclusion in the Government Bond Index-Emerging Markets (GBI-EM), the most widely tracked benchmark of its kind, with $233 billion in assets tracking it.

J.P. Morgan said eight sukuk issues would be eligible for inclusion, with a total value of $69 billion.

The Kingdom’s inclusion in the index is expected to boost liquidity and demand for sovereign debt, contributing to lower borrowing costs.

In September, J.P. Morgan had placed Saudi Arabia on “Positive Index Watch,” paving the way for its eventual inclusion in the GBI-EM.

Commenting on the decision, Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan told Bloomberg that the move reflects continued confidence in the Kingdom’s economic transformation trajectory. He said the inclusion marks a new milestone in Saudi Arabia’s integration into global financial markets, adding that its immediate impact will be seen in broadening and diversifying the investor base and supporting long-term capital inflows into the domestic debt market, thereby strengthening the resilience and stability of the national economy.

The Significance of the Index

The importance of J.P. Morgan’s index lies in its role as a benchmark guiding major global fund allocations, particularly passive funds that track indices automatically. With an expected weighting of around 2.52 percent, Saudi bonds will become a core component of international investor portfolios, increasing government bond liquidity and reducing borrowing costs over the long term, a critical factor for the Kingdom’s economy.

Passive funds play a key role in ensuring steady inflows. Trillions of dollars globally are managed through such funds. Once Saudi Arabia is included in the index, these funds will purchase Saudi bonds to remain aligned with it. Unlike active investors, they do not rapidly buy or sell based on daily news or market sentiment, but continue to hold bonds as long as they remain in the index, providing significant stability to the Saudi debt market. Their participation also ensures a constant base of large-scale buyers, facilitating bond trading at any time.

Reforms That Paved the Way

This inclusion is the result of a series of regulatory reforms highlighted by the bank in its note. Saudi Arabia has improved international investor access by linking to the global Euroclear system, expanding its network of primary dealers to include international banks, and facilitating cross-border settlement and trading. These measures have enhanced legal certainty and transparency, making the Saudi debt market an attractive and secure destination for foreign capital.

Financial Stability Amid Regional Challenges

Beyond its economic dimensions, the move carries strategic significance amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region. Increased inflows into local bonds are expected to strengthen the government’s ability to manage any economic fallout from regional instability. It underscores the resilience and attractiveness of the Saudi economy, demonstrating its capacity to attract quality investment and secure the financing needed for its development plans regardless of external challenges.

Business

S&P Warns African Sovereign Credit Rating Risks Likely to Worsen

Central Bank of Egypt building (A.P.)
Central Bank of Egypt building (A.P.)
TT
TT

S&P Warns African Sovereign Credit Rating Risks Likely to Worsen

Central Bank of Egypt building (A.P.)
Central Bank of Egypt building (A.P.)

S&P Global Ratings warned on Thursday that the risks to African sovereign credit scores were likely to worsen the longer the Middle East war drags on.

The ratings agency said that higher fuel and fertilizer import costs would increase inflation and fiscal strains for countries, "potentially leading to rating pressure".

Egypt, Mozambique and Rwanda are among the "most exposed" the agency said, although Egypt's deep domestic capital markets and Rwanda's high levels of concessional debt provide some offset, according to Reuters.

Less exposed are net-oil exporters Nigeria, Angola and Congo-Brazzaville as well as Morocco, due to stronger foreign-currency reserves.

S&P's "base case" assumed that the conflict will peak and that the Strait of Hormuz will gradually reopen but related disruptions will likely persist for months. A resumption of hostilities and a more prolonged conflict would present a greater threat to many African sovereigns.

The ratings agency said it expected Africa's borrowing costs to increase due to war's impacts and as a result of global risk aversion.

S&P in recent weeks kept Egypt's credit rating on a "stable" outlook and affirmed ratings for Morocco, Ghana and Mozambique.