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New Straits Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
MARKET PULSE AM MAY 13, 2025 [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: News on the latest moves on the stock and crypto markets. Dagang Nexchange emerged as the top gainer in Tuesday's trading session following its proposal to undertake a bonus issue of up to one point two billion warrants. Its share price rose by approximately seven per cent, climbing two sen to open at 30 sen. Bursa Malaysia opened on a positive note as market sentiment improved, buoyed by ongoing diplomatic negotiations between the United States and China regarding US tariffs. The benchmark index is anticipated to move within the range of 1,550 to 1,570 points today. In the cryptocurrency space, Bitcoin is on an upward trend at RM442,873, while Ethereum is gradually recovering to RM10,663. That's it for Market Pulse.
IOL News
24-04-2025
- Business
- IOL News
First-time buyers dominate South African property market in 2025
First-time buyers now account for 72.71% of the South African property market, reflecting increased confidence and favourable conditions for new entrants in 2025. First-time buyers now make up 72.71% of the market – an increase from 71.34% the year before – suggesting growing confidence among new entrants, according to the latest home loan stats released by MyProperty Home Loans. The statistics, comparing March 2024 to March 2025, and the results point to significant changes in the South African property landscape. The stats reveal that most notably, despite financial pressure stemming from the March National Budget, there were also some wins for homebuyers. The stats show that one of the more positive developments was the increase in the transfer duty exemption threshold. This, coupled with a reduced interest rate and zero transfer duty on properties priced below R1.2 million, has created a more favourable environment for first-time buyers compared to the same time last year. According to the data, the average purchase price for first-time buyers has risen slightly from R1,188,663 to R1,215,522. Meanwhile, the average bond amount approved jumped significantly from R1,029,192 to R1,567,694. At the same time, the average deposit required across all buyer categories also saw a sharp increase, rising from R159,471 to R352, figures align with broader market shifts. The average age of first-time buyers now sits at 39, highlighting a trend towards older South Africans entering the property market for the first time – possibly a result of extended financial constraints or a shift in life planning priorities. Another encouraging sign for buyers is the prime lending rate, which decreased from 11.75% to 11%, offering some relief on monthly repayments. Additionally, bond approval rates by applicants' banks edged up slightly, from 52.24% to 52.61%, pointing to a marginally more favourable lending climate. 'The data reflects a resilient property market with first-time buyers leading the charge,' said Michael-Anne Abrahams of MyProperty Home Loans. 'With improved lending conditions and increased consumer confidence, now is an opportune time for prospective homeowners to enter the market". With more supportive policies and shifting buyer demographics, 2025 may shape up to be a pivotal year for property in South Africa. PERSONAL FINANCE
Arabian Business
15-04-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Why Greenwood is emerging as an attractive option for Dubai real estate investment
Dubai's Greenwood by Nakheel is positioning itself as Dubai's greenest residential and investment destination . With property prices in the city's most recently established residential hubs such as Dubai Hills Estate and Arabian Ranches reaching record highs, attention is beginning to shift toward emerging communities with untapped potential. Over the past year, six-bedroom villa sales in Dubai Hills Estate have averaged AED34.8m ($9.5m) at AED2,663 ($725) per square foot. Greenwood in Dubai In Greenwood, a similar villa is priced at AED6.9m ($1.9m) with an average of AED1,333 ($363) per square foot, marking a 404 percent price increase and a gap of more than AED27.9m ($7.6m). For three-bedroom townhouses, Dubai Hills Estate sales averaged AED5.8m ($1.6m) at AED1,833 ($499) per square foot, while Greenwood offered them at AED3.2m ($871,000) and AED1,164 ($317) per square foot, reflecting a 81 per cent price difference. The substantial value gap positions Greenwood as a standout investment opportunity in the current market. Beyond price accessibility, what sets Greenwood apart is the scale and ambition of developments underway. Greenwood, the largest green sustainable community, spans 3.95 million sq m and is poised to reshape the area's residential landscape. Its first flagship project, Kensington Gardens by LEOS Developments, reflects the type of high-spec, design-led British housing now being delivered in the city's emerging districts. Greenwood represents the next chapter of the emirate's urban expansion, which is one that aligns with evolving investor priorities, including sustainably developed, infrastructure-backed communities. As demand shifts away from overcrowded and overpriced neighbourhoods, Greenwood stands out as a strategic investment play, where luxury, sustainability, and long-term return on investment (ROI) meet.
Zawya
11-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Bahrain: Gulf Union announces net profit of $4.64mln
Bahrain - Gulf Union Insurance and Reinsurance's board of directors announced the company's outstanding financial results for the fiscal year that concluded on December 31, 2024. The business made BD1,752,435 in net profit, which was 5.36 per cent more than the BD1,663,364 profit from the prior year. This expansion demonstrates the company's steadfast dedication to growing in all business domains and improving financial performance, as measured by profitability and shareholder equity. Revenues from insurance services increased 8.87pc in 2024 to BD8,820,765 from BD8,101,938 in 2023. This rise is a result of an increase in the company's business volume and a rise in the demand for its insurance services. Meanwhile, net results from insurance activities decreased by 10.88pc to BD1,063,411 in 2024 from BD1,193,236 in 2023. This decline is attributed to an increase in the number of claims during last year's rainy season and rising insurance operation costs. Additionally, net investment income increased by 26.40pc from 2023 to 2024, from BD406,239 to BD513,488. Strong investment performance and higher investment returns are reflected in this growth. To strengthen our financial position and fuel future expansion, the firm issued 2,000,000 non-cumulative convertible preference shares with a nominal value of BD1 per share to current shareholders on May 7, 2024. The company successfully secured subscriptions totalling BD1,920,000 from existing shareholders and private placements, which amounted to BD1,020,000 and BD900,000, respectively, in December 2024 and January 2025. The chairman, Abdulaziz Al Turki, conveyed his satisfaction with the positive financial results attained in 2024, despite the challenges in competitive insurance market. He also highlighted that the company's significant growth and effective risk management strategies have strengthened its position within Bahrain's insurance sector. Mr Al Turki emphasised that the company is determined to continue growing through its ample internal resources, with plans to expand its business operations and increase its presence in Bahrain within the framework of sound technical competition principles. The chief executive Waleed Mahmood attributed this success to the unwavering efforts of the board's leadership, the dedication of employees to enhancing service quality and product offerings, and the loyalty of customers. He expressed his heartfelt appreciation to all esteemed shareholders, accredited investors, loyal customers, brokers, the Central Bank of Bahrain and reinsurers for their continued support. Mr Mahmood assured stakeholders that the company's future is promising, brimming with significant opportunities for ongoing growth and success in the insurance sector. With an emphasis on innovation and customer-focused services, he is confident that Gulf Union Insurance and Reinsurance Company will not only continue to thrive but also adapt to market changes and capitalise on new opportunities, securing long-term prosperity for all stakeholders. Copyright 2022 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
29-01-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria: CBN to commence payment of Forex backlog
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, has announced the completion of forensic verification to clear all pending foreign exchange backlogs, with payments set to commence soon. Speaking at the launch of the Foreign Exchange Code, Cardoso reflected on the challenges faced in addressing the $7 billion foreign exchange backlog, which took over 12 months to clear in 2024. 'In March last year, the CBN announced the clearance of the backlog, effectively eliminating a legacy burden,' he said. The CBN governor emphasized that the era of multiple exchange rates, which favored a select few, is over. He warned that any deposit money bank found violating the ethics outlined in the Foreign Exchange Code would face sanctions. Cardoso also criticized what he described as an era of 'unprecedented ways and means of financing,' which, according to him, had negatively impacted the economy by driving high inflation and currency depreciation. The Foreign Exchange Code serves as a regulatory framework for the banking industry, aimed at ensuring ethical conduct among dealers in Nigeria's forex market. Addressing the impact of the Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System, launched in December 2024, Cardoso assured that the intervention had improved market transparency and efficiency. He noted that the naira had appreciated from N1,663 per dollar in December 2024 to N1,536 as of January 27, 2025. Reaffirming the CBN's commitment to exchange rate stability, he highlighted that Nigeria's external reserves had risen to $40.7 billion as of December 2024. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
