First Abu Dhabi Bank: No Longer Considering Possible Offer for StanChart

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB). Reuters file photo
First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB). Reuters file photo
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First Abu Dhabi Bank: No Longer Considering Possible Offer for StanChart

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB). Reuters file photo
First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB). Reuters file photo

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), the United Arab Emirates' biggest lender, said on Thursday it was considering a bid for London-listed Standard Chartered but was no longer doing so.

Bloomberg had earlier reported that FAB had been exploring an offer for Standard Chartered as part of a plan aimed at building an emerging markets bank, driving Stanchart shares up as much as 20%.

The shares pared the gains to trade up 6% at 1421 GMT following FAB's statement that it was no longer pursuing a potential deal.

The Abu Dhabi lender said it had been in "the very early stages of evaluating a possible offer" for the emerging markets-focused bank.



Gold Hits Fresh High In Record-Setting Rally Amid Global Uncertainties

FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
TT

Gold Hits Fresh High In Record-Setting Rally Amid Global Uncertainties

FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo

Gold rose to a fresh high on Monday, extending its blazing rally amid uncertainties surrounding the US election, simmering Middle East tensions and rate cuts by major central banks, while silver scaled a near 12-year peak.
Spot gold was up 0.3% at $2,727.95 per ounce, as of 0517 GMT, after hitting an all-time high of $2,732.73 earlier. US gold futures were 0.5% higher at $2,743.00.
Helped by bullion's rally, spot silver rose 0.9% to $33.95 per ounce, its highest since late 2012.
"The current market environment consists of interest rates moving south combined with heightened geopolitical risks - a scenario which suits gold on both fronts," said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.
Investors also digested news that China cut its benchmark lending rates following reductions to other policy rates last month as part of a package of stimulus measures to revive the economy, Reuters said.
Gold demand in top consumer China has taken a hit amid high prices and an economic slowdown.
Elsewhere, traders are pricing in a 99% chance of a US Federal Reserve interest rate cut in November. The European Central Bank cut interest rates by a quarter point last week.
Lower interest rates enhance gold's allure, as bullion yields no interest. Gold is also considered a safe investment during times of economic and political turmoil.
The 2024 US presidential race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris is neck and neck in the seven battleground states that will decide the Nov. 5 election.
In the Middle East, hundreds of Beirut residents fled their homes late Sunday, with multiple explosions heard, as Israel prepared to attack sites linked to the financial operations of the Hezbollah group.
For gold, "$2,800 looks to be a viable year-end target... There will be temptation to lock in some profits, which could slow the immediate upside," Waterer said.
Platinum rose 0.4% to $1,017.84 per ounce, its highest since mid-July. Palladium gained 0.5% to $1,084.97.