Middle East Markets

Business

The Great American Lock-In: Homeowners Stay Put for Record Lengths, Coastal States Lead the Trend

New data reveals U.S. homeowners are holding onto their properties longer than at any point in the last quarter-century, with coastal markets showing the most pronounced stagnation. High mortgage rates, soaring prices, and a severe inventory crunch have created a powerful 'lock-in' effect, reshaping the dynamics of the housing market.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Sea Limited's Stock Plunge: A Buying Opportunity or a Value Trap?

Sea Limited's shares have tumbled over 11% year-to-date, sparking debate among investors. While a discounted cash flow model suggests the stock is deeply undervalued, its lofty P/E ratio tells a more cautious tale. We examine the conflicting signals and what they mean for the Southeast Asian tech giant's future.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Crypto Markets See Broad Sell-Off: CoinDesk 20 Index Plunges 9.3% as Ethereum Leads Decline

The CoinDesk 20 Index, a key benchmark for the digital asset market, fell sharply over the weekend, with every constituent in the red. Ethereum's 13.9% drop was a primary driver of the downturn.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Goldman Sachs CEO Signals Strategic Hiring Slowdown Amid Efficiency Push

Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon, while optimistic on global markets, forecasts a deliberate deceleration in talent acquisition for 2026 as the bank sharpens its focus on operational efficiency and strategic resource allocation.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Fifth Third Completes Comerica Merger, Cementing Status as Top 10 U.S. Bank

The finalized merger between Cincinnati-based Fifth Third and Dallas's Comerica creates a banking giant with nearly $300 billion in assets, dramatically expanding its footprint in the nation's fastest-growing markets.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Syrian Government Troops Advance on Kurdish-Held Hasakah Under Fragile U.S.-Brokered Truce

A convoy of Syrian government forces was observed moving toward the strategic northeastern city of Hasakah on Monday, implementing a ceasefire agreement that aims to reintegrate Kurdish-administered territories with Damascus.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Markets Edge Lower Ahead of Key Labor Data, Earnings Deluge

U.S. stock futures pointed to a lower open Monday as investors braced for a flood of corporate earnings and crucial labor market reports that could sway Federal Reserve policy expectations.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Warsh Nomination Triggers Historic Metals Meltdown, Investors Reassess Fed Outlook

Gold and silver prices plunged to multi-year lows as markets reacted to former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh's nomination, signaling a potential shift toward a more hawkish central bank policy and stronger dollar.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

The Blame Game: Web3 Titans Clash Over Causes of 2025's 'Black Friday' Crypto Crash

Months after a sudden $19 billion liquidation event rocked crypto markets, a war of words has erupted among industry CEOs. The debate centers on whether the crash was caused by a technical glitch, systemic leverage, or aggressive yield marketing, exposing deep fissures in the industry's post-mortem analysis.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Beyond the Numbers: A Tale of Two Markets in Apparel Retail's Q3 Earnings

The third-quarter earnings season for apparel retailers revealed a stark divergence. While some brands like Abercrombie & Fitch soared on strong results, others, including Tilly's and Torrid, faced investor skepticism despite meeting top-line expectations. We analyze the performance, the shifting retail landscape, and what it signals for the sector's future.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Crypto Markets Reel as Record Liquidations and Gold's Plunge Spark 'Manic Monday' Fears

February opens with a brutal sell-off across digital assets, seeing over $2.5 billion in liquidations and pushing Ethereum to the brink of $2,000. The turmoil coincides with a historic drop in gold, fueling debates on market stability and the path forward.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

NRG Energy Seals $12 Billion Power Play, Acquiring 13GW Portfolio from LS Power

In a landmark deal reshaping the U.S. energy landscape, NRG Energy has completed its acquisition of LS Power's 13GW natural gas fleet and virtual power plant platform, significantly boosting its capacity and demand-response capabilities in key markets.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Nevada Judge Halts Polymarket's Event Contracts in State, Citing Regulatory Gaps

A Nevada court has issued a temporary restraining order against prediction market platform Polymarket, blocking it from offering event contracts to state residents. The ruling marks a significant early victory for state gaming regulators amid a national debate over who should oversee these fast-growing markets.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Latin America's Trade Dilemma: Balancing Consumer Demand and Industry Survival Amid Chinese Export Surge

As Chinese exports, from electric vehicles to e-commerce parcels, flood Latin American markets, governments are walking a tightrope between protecting domestic industries and satisfying consumer demand for affordable goods, all while navigating deepening economic ties with Beijing.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Bargain Hunt in Asia: Three Undervalued Stocks Poised for Growth in February 2026

Amidst a complex global economic backdrop, Asia's equity markets are hiding gems trading significantly below their estimated intrinsic value. We spotlight three companies—from gaming to aviation and medtech—that our cash flow analysis suggests are deeply discounted, offering potential for investors with an eye on long-term fundamentals.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

China's Pork Palate Shifts: Nostalgia and Premium Demand Drive Black Hog Revival

As China's pork industry grapples with overcapacity and falling prices, a growing appetite for premium, flavorful black pork among the middle class is offering a lifeline to farmers and reshaping market strategies.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Pony AI's Cost Breakthrough Fuels Optimism for Autonomous Vehicle Rollout in Asia

As Pony AI Inc. slashes hardware costs by 70% and plans a major fleet expansion, investors are weighing its potential as a high-stakes bet on the future of self-driving cars in key Asian markets.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Beyond the Frontier: Is Undervalued Telecom Giant VEON Poised for a Digital Breakout?

Amidst a challenging macro landscape, telecom operator VEON Ltd. is posting robust growth in its core frontier markets while aggressively expanding its digital ecosystem. With a valuation significantly below peers, analysts are debating whether the market is overlooking a hidden gem or rightly pricing in geopolitical risks.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Precious Metals Plummet in Historic Sell-Off, Bitcoin Holds Steady Near $83,000

A dramatic reversal in precious metals markets saw silver crash 35% and gold fall 12% in a single session, testing a long-held crypto theory about capital rotation as Bitcoin demonstrates relative stability.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Whales Circle Three Altcoins as Crypto Markets Seek February Turnaround

On-chain data reveals a notable shift in crypto whale activity, with large-scale accumulation emerging in Shiba Inu, Pendle, and Cardano. This strategic positioning coincides with early technical signals hinting at potential rebounds, setting the stage for a pivotal February.

Jan 30, 2026