Mideast Stocks: Gulf bourses end mixed on earnings, focus on US-China talks
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the upcoming talks were a start, not 'advanced' discussions. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index dropped 0.3%, hit by a 1.4% fall in Saudi Arabian Mining Company and a 2.7% decrease in Etihad Etisalat Company. Elsewhere, Middle East Healthcare Company plunged about 9% - its biggest intraday fall in over a month - despite reporting a sharp rise in quarterly profit.
Dubai's main share index dropped 0.4%, with blue-chip developer Emaar Properties retreating 1.1%. Meanwhile, the U.S. Federal Reserve held interest rates steady on Wednesday but said risks of higher inflation and unemployment had risen, as its policymakers grapple with the impact of Trump's tariffs.
The Fed's decisions impact monetary policy in the Gulf, where most currencies, including dirhams, are pegged to the U.S. dollar. The United Arab Emirates Central Bank has maintained its base rate at 4.40%, keeping monetary policy steady. In Abu Dhabi, the index added 0.2%, supported by a 1.9% rise in ADNOC Drilling Company, a day after reporting a 25% jump in first-quarter profit.
Oil prices - a catalyst for the Gulf's financial markets - rose over 1%, buoyed by hopes of a breakthrough in looming trade talks between the United States and China, the world's two largest oil consumers. The Qatari index finished 0.4% higher, with the Gulf's biggest lender Qatar National Bank gaining 0.4%.
Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index eased 0.2%.
Egypt's headline inflation is expected to have edged up in April, boosted in part by an increase in fuel prices early in the month, a Reuters poll found.
SAUDI ARABIA fell 0.3% to 11,364
Abu Dhabi added 0.2% to 9,634
Dubai dropped 0.4% to 5,314
QATAR gained 0.4% to 10,520
EGYPT down 0.2% to 31,772
BAHRAIN was up 0.3% to 1,917
OMAN closed flat at 4,352
KUWAIT finished flat at 8,667
(Reporting by Ateeq Shariff in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)
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Hi Dubai
2 hours ago
- Hi Dubai
Smart Packaging Strategies to Boost Brand Value and Cut Costs for Dubai Businesses
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Why Smart Packaging Is a Strategic Move in Dubai Dubai's packaging scene is undergoing a major transformation, driven by changing consumer behaviour, economic pressure, and growing sustainability awareness. What used to be a functional necessity is now seen as a crucial element of brand identity, customer experience, and cost control. 1. Trends Defining UAE's Packaging Market Sustainability is becoming a clear priority for both businesses and consumers. More people now favour brands that use eco-friendly packaging, whether it's recyclable, compostable, or made from responsibly sourced materials. At the same time, there's a growing demand for packaging that feels premium and looks beautiful, especially in industries like beauty, fashion, food, and luxury goods. On the technology front, smart packaging is beginning to make its mark. 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Digitally Printed Short Runs Traditional packaging often requires large print volumes to justify cost, but digital printing removes that pressure. Short-run packaging lets you test seasonal campaigns, product launches, or region-specific branding without committing to massive quantities. What if you could experiment more, without the financial risk? Faster turnaround times also mean your packaging can respond quickly to trends, cultural events, or customer feedback, keeping your brand agile and relevant. Shelf-Life Extension with Active Packaging In industries like food and pharmaceuticals, spoilage and returns are a major expense. Active packaging—such as oxygen absorbers, antimicrobial coatings, or humidity-regulating elements—can help extend shelf life and improve product integrity. Have you considered how much product loss you could prevent with smarter internal packaging? Fewer returns and damaged goods also mean stronger customer trust and reduced after-sales costs. Automated Assembly and Easy Packing Designs Smart packaging design isn't just about the box—it's also about how quickly and easily it can be assembled. Designs that require minimal folding, gluing, or taping can drastically reduce the time your team spends packing. Could your current packaging be slowing down your operations? By making the process faster and simpler, you save on labour costs while increasing daily output—a quiet but powerful way to improve profitability. By making better decisions at the design and production stage, businesses can unlock real savings without cutting corners. In fact, the most successful companies are those asking the right questions: How can we do more with less? And how can our packaging work harder for both our customers and our bottom line? 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5 hours ago
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