Manus on Markets: Putin and Trump have eyes on swift Ukraine peace settlement
Manus Cranny, The National's geo-economics editor, cuts through the noise and presents insights from the stories making headlines around the world.
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UAE Moments
3 hours ago
- UAE Moments
The Powerhouse of Investment
Stop Telling People to 'Just Save More Money' – Here's the Real Hot Take We've all heard it. The go-to, seemingly universal financial advice: 'Just save more money.' It sounds simple, responsible, and… frankly, a little lazy. While the intention is good, this oversimplified mantra often overlooks a crucial point and can even lead people to financial disappointment in the long run. My hot take? Your savings rate is only half the battle. The real game-changer is your investment strategy. Think about it. You diligently squirrel away every extra dollar, proud of your growing savings account balance. But what's that money doing? In today's economic climate, with inflation stubbornly eroding purchasing power, simply hoarding cash can be a surprisingly ineffective strategy. That dollar you diligently saved last year buys less this year. It's a silent erosion of your financial future. The Myth of the Mattress (and Low-Yield Savings) Stashing cash under your mattress (or in a low-interest savings account that barely keeps pace with inflation) is akin to treading water while the current pulls you backward. Your nominal balance might increase, but its real value – what it can buy – diminishes over time. Inflation is the silent thief of your savings. The Powerhouse of Investment This is where the often-overlooked 'I-word' comes in: investing. A well-crafted investment strategy, tailored to your risk tolerance and time horizon, offers the potential to outpace inflation and grow your wealth exponentially through the magic of compounding. Beating the Inflation Beast: Investing in a diversified portfolio of assets like stocks, bonds, and even real estate provides the opportunity for your money to grow at a rate that historically surpasses inflation. This is how you truly build and preserve wealth. Compounding: The Eighth Wonder: Albert Einstein supposedly called compound interest the 'eighth wonder of the world.' When your investments generate returns, and those returns are reinvested, they start earning their own returns. Over time, this snowball effect can dwarf the impact of simply saving more. Strategic Risk vs. Stagnant Safety: Yes, investing involves risk. But staying entirely in cash also carries a significant risk – the certainty of losing purchasing power to inflation. A thoughtful investment approach involves understanding and managing risk, not avoiding it altogether. It's Not Just How Much You Save, But Where You Grow So, the next time someone tells you to 'just save more money,' gently push back. Explain that while saving is fundamental, it's the strategic allocation of those savings into appreciating assets that truly builds long-term financial security. Here's the real advice: Establish a Budget: Know where your money is going. Save Consistently: Make saving a non-negotiable part of your financial routine. Educate Yourself on Investing: Understand different asset classes and investment strategies. Develop an Investment Plan: Tailor it to your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. Start Investing Early (Even Small Amounts): Time in the market beats timing the market. Review and Adjust: Your financial situation and goals will evolve, so your investment plan should too. Let's shift the conversation from the simplistic 'save more' to the more empowering and effective 'invest strategically.' Your future self will thank you.
Gulf Business
9 hours ago
- Gulf Business
Emirates NBD sees over Dhs5bn in trades after year of zero-fee local equities offer
Image: Getty Images/ For illustrative purposes Emirates NBD, one of the largest banking groups in the Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye, said customer trades on its zero-transaction-fee local equities platform have surpassed Dhs5bn in the 12 months since it launched. The initiative, introduced on August 26, 2024, allows investors to trade UAE-listed equities commission-free via the bank's digital wealth platform ENBD X. The bank said more than 300,000 commission-free trades have been executed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM), Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) and Nasdaq Dubai since launch, with access to over 150 UAE-listed equities. The mobile banking app ENBD X integrates banking, investment and advisory services, and offers features such as customisable price alerts, real-time investing and fully digital onboarding. Emirates NBD's zero-fee local equities offer received a strong response Marwan Hadi, group head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management, said: 'We are pleased to see an outstanding response to the zero-transaction-fee trading initiative that we launched on our digital wealth platforms, accessible via ENBD X. 'One year on, our customers have embraced purposeful investment by investing in local equities. As a leading national bank, we are proud to transform how people invest, by providing an inclusive, accessible, transparent and affordable platform, while also supporting local businesses.' He added that innovation remained a core focus, with ongoing enhancements to ENBD X and the development of new products and services to meet evolving customer needs. Last year, Emirates NBD also launched fractional bonds on ENBD X as part of efforts to broaden access to financial markets. Read:
UAE Moments
19 hours ago
- UAE Moments
Your Daily Career Tarot Card Reading for August 16th, 2025
16.8.25 The Hanged Man: The Hanged Man card may show a tendency to drift rather than take action. It's possible that you're waiting for a job or promotion - or perhaps business success to fall into your lap, when you really need to get out there and make it happen. Begin today to work out what you want and to plan a strategy that will enable you to reach your goal.
