logo
Lufthansa reports higher-than-expected Q2 earnings

Lufthansa reports higher-than-expected Q2 earnings

BERLIN: Lufthansa on Thursday reported better second-quarter results than expected, boosted by low oil prices and currency effects, and confirmed its full-year guidance.
The German airline group reported an operating profit of 871 million euros ($995.29 million), compared with 805 million euros expected, according to an analyst poll compiled by Lufthansa.
That's up 27% compared with 686 million euros reported in the same quarter last year.
The company said the improved earnings were mainly due to its expanded flight programme in the passenger business, the positive effects from its investment in Italy's ITA Airways and a doubling in the operating result in its logistics segment.
Lufthansa also said demand in the United States remained strong despite the weakness of the U.S. dollar.
Europe's major airlines are cautiously observing for a possible dip in transatlantic travel as European travellers have shied away from booking trips there this year.
A number of U.S. airlines, including Delta, pulled their outlooks this spring on the back of weakening travel demand after U.S. President Donald Trump's administration announced tariffs, denting business and consumer confidence.
European airlines, however have remained more optimistic to date.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Trump stakes reputation as dealmaker with tariff policy
Trump stakes reputation as dealmaker with tariff policy

Business Recorder

time2 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

Trump stakes reputation as dealmaker with tariff policy

WASHINGTON: Donald Trump is staking his reputation as a tough negotiator and slick dealmaker – that has served him well throughout his life – with his ultra-muscular, protectionist tariffs policy. On Friday, the White House released a picture of the US president seen with a smartphone pressed to his ear, with the caption: 'Making calls. Making deals. MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!' Every trade deal announced by the president, who is convinced that tariffs are both a tool and manifestation of America's economic might, is celebrated by his supporters as a show of his negotiating prowess. This week's flurry of rate changes was no different. On Thursday, with the stroke of a black marker, the former real estate developer slapped fresh tariffs on dozens of US trade partners. They will kick in on August 7 instead of August 1, which had previously been touted as a hard deadline. The Republican leader's backtracking, frequently setting trade deadlines only to rescind or extend them – he most recently granted Mexico a 90-day extension – has given rise to the mocking acronym 'TACO' ('Trump always chickens out'). Trump's global trade policy faces test, hours from tariff deadline The jokes implying Trump is all talk and no action on trade have previously struck a nerve for the president. 'Not chicken' But analysts believe there will be no going back this time. Trump has 'not chickened out,' according to Josh Lipsky, an international economics expert at the Atlantic Council think tank. Lipsky told AFP the president is 'following through, if not exceeding' what he vowed during his campaign in respect to tariffs. Matthew Aks, a public policy analyst at Evercore ISI, said he did not anticipate a 'massive shift' on the latest order, aside from some economies like Taiwan or India striking deals during the seven-day buffer. Following crunch negotiations leading up to the tariffs announcement, Trump struck a series of compromises, notably with the European Union, Japan, and South Korea, setting varying tax rates and touting high investments in the United States. The details of these agreements remain vague and leave the door open to key questions: Are exemptions possible? What will become of key sectors like automobiles, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors? And what of China? India engaged in further trade talks with US, Indian government source says The US president and leaders of other countries 'have reasons to avoid going into detailed agreements' explained Aks, allowing all sides to present the deals in the most positive, or least negative, way possible to their public. The ability to conclude deals – often with or without crucial detail – is, for the 79-year-old Republican, an integral part of his political signature. 'Art form' In his book 'The Art of the Deal,' the billionaire wrote: 'Deals are my art form. Other people paint beautifully on canvas or write wonderful poetry. I like making deals, preferably big deals. That's how I get my kicks.' Trump explained in his book that he always 'protects' himself 'by being flexible.' 'I never get too attached to one deal or one approach.' But despite comments about his trade policy reversals, Trump has hardly budged from his trade strategy, and that could prove politically painful. In a survey conducted by Quinnipiac University published in mid-July, only 40 percent of respondents said they supported the president's trade policy, while 56 percent criticized it. US cuts Pakistan tariff to 19% from 29% after trade deal The latest employment figures bear the marks of Trump's protectionist offensive, according to experts. Job creation in May and June was revised sharply downward, falling to levels not seen since the Covid-19 pandemic.

SBP pumps Rs13.3tr, raises Rs358b
SBP pumps Rs13.3tr, raises Rs358b

Express Tribune

time5 hours ago

  • Express Tribune

SBP pumps Rs13.3tr, raises Rs358b

Listen to article The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) injected a record Rs13.33 trillion into the financial system on Friday through two major Open Market Operations (OMOs), signalling its continued effort to manage liquidity and stabilise financial markets. The injection was made through both conventional reverse repo purchases and Shariah-compliant Mudarabah-based instruments. Under the conventional OMO, the SBP injected Rs13.05 trillion, comprising Rs904.25 billion for a 7-day tenor at 11.02% and Rs12.15 trillion for a 14-day tenor at 11.01%. Bids were accepted on a pro-rata basis. The high participation, with total bids at Rs13.31 trillion, reflected strong demand from market participants. In the parallel Shariah-compliant OMO, the central bank injected Rs270 billion. This included Rs120 billion for 7 days at 11.15% and Rs150 billion for 14 days at 11.13%. The higher rates on Islamic OMOs indicated continued premium demand for Shariah-compliant liquidity. Additionally, the SBP raised Rs358 billion in the latest Pakistan Investment Bonds (PIB) auction, exceeding the Rs300 billion target. Investor interest remained strong, with total bids reaching Rs1,129 billion. According to AKD Securities, cut-off yields for shorter tenors increased. The 2-year bond yield rose by 24 basis points to 11.09%, the 3-year by 9bps to 11.14%, and the 5-year by 5bps to 11.44%. In contrast, the 10-year paper yield fell by 5bps to 12.15%. The 15-year bond was accepted at a cut-off yield of 12.45%, the first such result disclosed for this tenor. The rise in shorter-term yields reflected market concerns over near-term inflation and tight liquidity. Meanwhile, the decline in longer-term yields suggested investor confidence in long-term economic stability. The aggressive bidding highlighted strong investor appetite for government securities amid a stable interest rate outlook. The Pakistani rupee also appreciated by 0.05% on Friday. It closed at 282.72 against the US dollar, gaining 15 paisa from the previous day's rate of 282.87. In contrast to global trends, gold prices in Pakistan edged lower on Friday. This came despite bullion gaining nearly 2% internationally, driven by weaker US payroll data and renewed trade tensions that increased safe-haven demand. According to the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), the gold price per tola dropped by Rs100 to settle at Rs352,900. The price for 10 grams also fell by Rs86, closing at Rs302,555. This modest drop followed Thursday's steeper Rs2,000 per tola decline, reflecting currency movements and local demand pressure. Internationally, spot gold surged 1.8% to $3,350.67 per ounce as of (15:35 GMT), after rising as much as 2% earlier. The metal was up 0.4% for the week. Adnan Agar, Director at Interactive Commodities Gold, said gold touched an intraday low of $3,381 and a high of $3,455, trading near $3,448. He added that weak US data and tariff concerns linked to President Donald Trump drove the $60 spike. He expected bullish momentum to continue into Monday, with resistance near $3,460–$3,470.

Trump moves N-subs near Russia as tensions soar
Trump moves N-subs near Russia as tensions soar

Express Tribune

time6 hours ago

  • Express Tribune

Trump moves N-subs near Russia as tensions soar

US President Donald Trump speaks after signing the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act at the White House in Washington, DC, US, July 30, REUTERS US President Donald Trump on Friday said he had ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in regions near Russia in response to "threats" from former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev as Moscow remained firm on its Ukraine stance despite a looming sanctions deadline from Washington. Just days after Trump and Medvedev, who is deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, traded taunts Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow hoped for more peace talks with Ukraine but that the momentum of the war was in Russia's favour. Trump on Tuesday said Russia had "10 days" to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine or be hit, along with its oil buyers, with tariffs. In response, Medvedev accused Trump of engaging in a "game of ultimatums" and reminded him that Russia possessed Soviet-era nuclear strike capabilities of last resort." "I have ordered two Nuclear Submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions, just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that," Trump said. "Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences, I hope this will not be one of those instances." Trump has said he will impose new sanctions on Moscow and countries that buy its energy exports – of which the biggest are China and India – unless "Russia moves by August 8 to end the 3-1/2 year war". However, Moscow has shown no sign that it will comply with Trump's deadline. Putin, without referring to the Trump deadline, said three sessions of peace talks with Ukraine had yielded some positive results, and Russia was expecting negotiations to continue. "As for any disappointments on the part of anyone, all disappointments arise from inflated expectations," he said. "In order to approach the issue peacefully, it is necessary to conduct detailed conversations. And not in public, but this must be done calmly, in the quiet of the negotiation process," he said, adding that Russian troops were attacking Ukraine along entire front line and the momentum was in their favour. Putin was speaking alongside his ally Alexander Lukashenko, the president of Belarus, at talks on an island in Lake Ladoga that is the site of a famous Russian monastery. Russian TV earlier showed the two leaders greeting monks at the Valaam Monastery, and holding candles during the chanting of prayers. "I will repeat once again, we need a long and lasting peace on good foundations that would satisfy both Russia and Ukraine, and ensure the security of both countries," Putin said, adding that this was also a question of European security. The Ukrainian government has said the Russian negotiators do not have the mandate to take significant decisions and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has called on Putin to meet him for talks. "We understand who makes the decisions in Russia and who must end this war," Zelenskiy said on X on Friday.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store