Most stock markets in the Gulf ended lower on Wednesday.
The Fed has left the policy rate in the current range of 5.25% to 5.5% since July © Mena Today
Most stock markets in the Gulf ended lower on Wednesday, in line with global shares, as investors struggled with the possibility that the U.S. Federal Reserve may not cut interest rates as soon as previously expected.
Fed Governor Christopher Waller said the U.S. is "within striking distance" of the central bank's 2% inflation goal, but it should not rush toward cuts in its benchmark interest rate until it is clear that lower inflation will sustain.
The Fed has left the policy rate in the current range of 5.25% to 5.5% since July.
Most Gulf currencies are pegged to the dollar and any monetary policy change in the United States is usually mimicked by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30) fell 0.7%, retreating from record highs it hit in the previous session, with Commercial International Bank (COMI.CA) losing 1.8%.
The Economist Intelligence, in its latest report “Middle East Outlook 2026”, anticipates an economic rebound across much of the region—provided a fragile calm holds after years of geopolitical volatility, conflict, and energy market disruptions.
Taiwan and Israel have signed two agreements aimed at deepening cooperation on intellectual property protection and expediting patent examinations, as both economies seek to strengthen technological collaboration amid shifting global supply-chain dynamics.
Low-cost carrier Flydubai announced on Tuesday a landmark order for 150 Airbus A321neo aircraft, surpassing the size of its current fleet and marking the airline’s first-ever purchase from the European manufacturer.
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