Trading Economics-


The S&P/ASX 200 Index inched up 0.07% to close at 7,937 on Monday, building on last week’s gains as strong private sector activity data lifted market sentiment. Manufacturing activity in Australia expanded at the fastest pace in 29 months in March, while services growth also accelerated. Notable performances were seen from index heavyweights such as Commonwealth Bank (1.4%), Fortescue (3.2%), NAB (2.2%), Mineral Resources (6.9%), and Telix Pharmaceuticals (4.4%). In corporate news, James Hardie plunged 14.5% following its A$14 billion acquisition deal for US outdoor building products maker AZEK. Mortgage insurer Helia Group also sank 25.6% after disclosing that its lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) contract with Commonwealth Bank could be in jeopardy, as the bank entered exclusive talks with an alternative provider.

Trading Economics-


The Nikkei 225 Index fell 0.18% to close at 37,608, while the Topix Index lost 0.47% to 2,791 on Monday, with the former sliding for the third consecutive session ,Domestically, fresh data showed that Japan’s private sector activity contracted for the first time in five months, with manufacturing extending its nine-month downturn, while services activity also turned negative. Notable declines were seen in index heavyweights such as Mitsubishi Heavy (-2.2%), Mitsubishi UFJ (-2%), Disco Corp (-1.7%), Advantest (-1.2%), and IHI Corp (-1.2%).

Trading Economics-


The benchmark KOSPI fell 0.4% on Monday, closing at 2,632 points after erasing earlier gains to snap a five-session winning streak, with chip and steel stocks leading the retreat.Among index heavyweights, chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix both dropped 1.9%. In the steel sector, Posco Holdings (-5.7%) and Korea Zinc (-3.2%) led the losses.

Trading Economics-


New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index edged up 0.1% to close around 12,128 on Monday, as concerns over looming US reciprocal tariffs limited gains in distribution services and utilities stocks.Among gainers, Steel & Tube rose over 1%, while Meridian Energy, Mercury NZ, and Contact Energy climbed 2.3%, 0.7%, and 0.9%, respectively. On the downside, Synlait Milk plunged nearly 11%, despite reporting fiscal half-year earnings of NZ$0.0101 per diluted share, recovering from a loss of NZ$0.4402 a year ago.

Trading Economics-


The Shanghai Composite edged up 0.15% to close at 3,370, while the Shenzhen Component added 0.07% to 10,695 on Monday, as mainland stocks reversed early losses and snapped a three-day losing streak amid improving risk sentiment.Meanwhile, Chinese Premier Li Qiang reiterated the need for greater market openness to counter global instability at the China Development Forum in Beijing on Sunday, where US Senator Steve Daines and Apple CEO Tim Cook were in attendance. Among the session’s top performers were Wolong Electric (10%), Victory Giant (5.8%), Beijing Highlander (6.1%), Zijin Mining (2.7%), and Eoptolink Technology (4.6%).

Trading Economics-


The BSE Sensex rose about 1.4% to close at 77,984 on Monday, its highest since early February and advancing for the 6th straight session, supported by foreign fund inflows and global positive cues. On the domestic economic front, a fresh PMI survey showed India’s private sector showed signs of softening in March, with overall business activity expanding at a slower pace than in February. Heavyweight financials led the rally, with Kotak Mahindra Bank surging 4.5% after the appointment of Bhavnish Lathia as new chief technology officer. Bajaj Finance rose by 2.8% while Axis Bank rose 2.5%. NTPC saw a significant rise of 4.6%, while Tech Mahindra (TECHM) and Power Grid Corporation also performed well, gaining 3.5% and 3.1%, respectively.

Youm7-


The Egyptian Exchange ended Monday's trading session with a collective decline in indices, pressured by selling pressure from Arab traders, while Egyptian and foreign investors tended to buy. Trading value reached EGP 3.4 billion, and market capitalization lost EGP 19 billion, closing at EGP 2.24 trillion.

The EGX 30 index fell by 0.38% to close at 31,810 points, the EGX 30 Capped index fell by 0.47% to close at 39,519 points, and the EGX 30 Total Return index fell by 0.39% to close at 13,993 points.

The EGX 70 Equal Weight Small and Medium Enterprises Index (SMEs) also declined by 0.41% to close at 8,961 points, the EGX 100 Equal Weight Index fell by 0.54% to close at 12,356 points, and the Sharia Index fell by 0.91% to close at 3,340 points.

(QNA)-


Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) closed its trading session on Monday, down by 81.91 points, or 0.80 percent, to stand at 10,185.70 points.

During the session, a total of 120,781,660 shares were traded, with a value of QR 305,230,734.678, resulting from the execution of 14,754 transactions across all sectors.

The session saw the shares of 13 companies rise, while 36 companies' shares declined, and four companies maintained their previous closing prices.

At the end of the trading session, the market capitalization stood at QR 598,159,234,663.115 compared to QR 602,621,005,477.420 in the previous session.

(ONA)-


Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) general index (30) today dropped (4.7) points, comprising a decline by (0.11%) to close at (4388.43) points, compared to the last session, which stood at (4393.15) points.

The trading value today stood at (RO 5,678,515) comprising a surge by (82%), compared to the last session, which stood at (RO 3,119,714).

The report released by MSX pointed out that the market value went up by (0.016%) to reach about (RO 27.65) billion.

The report added that the value of shares bought by non-Omani investors reached (RO 267,000), comprising (4.71%). The value of shares sold by non-Omani investors reached (RO 991,000), comprising (17.45%). The net non-Omani investment decreased by (12.74%) to (RO 724,000).

(WAM)-


Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) reported that its shareholders have, in the general assembly held today, approved the payment of total dividend of AED3.1 billion for H2 of 2024, with a record date of 31st March 2025.

The meeting, chaired by Matar Humaid Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Directors of DEWA, was attended by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD&CEO of DEWA and Members of the Board of Directors of DEWA as well as 92.2% of the shareholders. During the meeting, a Board of Directors was elected for the next three years.

Matar Humaid Al Tayer, Chairman of DEWA, said, "Dubai continues to consolidate its position as a global leader in economic growth, sustainability and innovation. At DEWA, we take great pride in being a key pillar of this success, ensuring that the energy and water infrastructure keeps pace with the rapid growth Dubai is witnessing.”

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, said, “In 2024, DEWA Group delivered another year of strong performance, reporting consolidated full-year revenue of AED30.98 billion, EBITDA of AED15.73 billion and net profit after tax of AED7.23 billion Our consolidated annual revenue grew by 6.17%, primarily driven by rising demand for electricity, water, and cooling services.”

“DEWA’s network now serves over 1.27 million customer accounts, and we take pride in achieving the world’s lowest electricity line losses at 2%; the world’s lowest water network losses at 4.5%; the world’s lowest Customer Minutes Lost (CML) of less than one minute per year—setting a global benchmark for reliability,” noted Al Tayer.

“I am optimistic about our outlook for 2025, driven by the continued growth in tourism, residential, commercial and industrial demand; the expanding active daytime population in Dubai; and opportunities for business expansion and infrastructure development,” added Al Tayer.

(WAM)–


The European Banking Authority (EBA) Friday published its Q4 2024 Risk Dashboard (RDB), which discloses aggregated statistical information for the largest European Union/ European Economic Area (EU/EEA) institutions.

EU/EEA banks reported a return on equity (RoE) of 10.5% in 2024, an increase of 10bps compared to 2023 (11.1% in Q3 2024). The return on assets for 2024 stood at 0.73%, up from 0.69% in 2023 (0.76% in Q3 2024).
The net interest margin (NIM) decreased by 1bp to 1.66% on a quarterly basis, decreasing further from its peak level of 1.69% in March 2024. Despite the slowdown in net interest income (NII), the total income of EU/EEA banks benefited from a consistent rise in net fee and commission income (NFCI), which grew by 6.1% QoQ and 9.6% YoY (see figure 1).

EU/EEA banks reported a quarterly increase of over 1% in loans to households and non-financial corporations (NFCs) across nearly all jurisdictions. Cash balances fell by close to 7% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ). At country level, most countries reported an increase in sovereign exposures. At EU/EEA level, they rose by more than 3% compared to Q2 2024 (EUR 118bn) to EUR 3.64tn.

The asset quality of EU/EEA banks remained stable, with non-performing loans (NPLs) decreasing by 1.1% QoQ, amounting to EUR 375bn. All segments reported a reduction in NPLs, except for commercial real estate (CRE) loans with a marginal increase. Stage 2 loans rose by 2.6%, reaching EUR 1.57 trillion and accounting for 9.7% of the total loan portfolio (9.5% in Q3). The cost of risk held steady at 49 basis points, although substantial differences among countries remain.

On a fully loaded basis, EU/EEA banks' common equity tier 1 (CET1) ratio held steady at 16.0%, a sign of the sector's strong capitalisation. Risk weighted assets increased by close to 1.1%, as a result of further increases in credit and operational risks (see figure 3).

(WAM)–


The EU Parliament’s International Trade Committee approved two proposals to offer Jordan and Egypt loans worth €500 million and €4 billion respectively.

The macro-financial assistance (MFA) for Egypt was approved by the International Trade Committee by 28 votes in favour, seven against and five abstentions. The MFA for Jordan was passed by 35 votes in favour, two against and three abstentions.

These loans are part of financial support packages concluded with EU partner countries struggling with financial, economic, societal challenges, to help with structural political and economic reforms.

Both reports will be put to a vote in Parliament’s April 2025 plenary session. Before the financial assistance can be disbursed, it will have to be adopted by both Parliament and Council.

Rapporteur Celine Imart (EPP, France), said: “The International Trade Committee’s backing for this EU loan reflects this Parliament’s high regard for Egypt as a partner country. By helping Egypt, we are also looking after EU interests in an unstable region. By endorsing this EU loan for Jordan, the Committee is helping to build our new partnership with the country, one that has recently been announced at the highest level. I am very pleased by this result.''

(WAM)-


The amount of payments made electronically in the Republic of Korea reached a record high last year, central bank data showed Thursday, as a growing number of people engaged in contact-free commerce.

The daily average amount of electronic financial transactions came to 959.4 billion won (US$657.4 million) in 2024, up 9.6 percent from a year earlier, according to the data from the Bank of Korea (BOK).

The reading marks the highest amount since the central bank began collecting data on electronic payments in 2007.

The daily average number of electronic financial transactions jumped 12.3 percent on-year to 30.7 million in 2024.

Electronic financial transactions include all internet and mobile-based payments, as well as purchases made with electronic credit and debit cards.

(WAM)-


The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) welcomed a high-level Chinese delegation at its headquarters in Abu Dhabi, led by Dong Baotong, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and Administrator of the National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA) of China.

Dong Baotong was received by Abdulla Nasser Al Suwaidi, Chairman of FANR’s Board of Management, along with senior FANR leadership. The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in knowledge exchange, research and development, capacity building in nuclear safety and security, nuclear non-proliferation, and regulatory frameworks for advanced nuclear technologies.

This visit is part of the ongoing collaboration between China’s National Nuclear Safety Administration and the UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation. In November 2024, both sides signed a three-year action plan establishing a framework for cooperation across various nuclear regulatory sectors. Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 2018, focusing on nuclear safety, non-proliferation, and capacity building.

During the visit, FANR officials presented their regulatory oversight of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, while the Chinese delegation provided updates on the latest developments in China’s nuclear programmes.

The Chinese delegation also toured FANR’s Emergency Operations Centre, where they were introduced to the UAE’s nuclear emergency preparedness and response system, along with the nation’s efforts to ensure public and environmental safety.

(WAM)-


Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, has reaffirmed the UAE’s dedication to sustainable water management and global water security in a statement marking World Water Day.

Highlighting the urgent need for action, Dr. Amna said, “On this World Water Day, let us reflect on the profound significance of water – the very essence of life and the lifeblood of our planet.”

Dr. Al Dahak noted that 2.2 billion people worldwide – one in four – are denied access to safe, clean water, noting that this stark reality demands that “we urgently reaffirm our commitment to sustainable water management and work to secure a water-resilient future for all.”

She emphasised the importance of this year’s theme, Glacier Preservation, which serves as a powerful reminder that even seemingly distant ecosystems like glaciers are intrinsically linked to our local water security and overall well-being.

Driven by rising global temperatures and a changing climate, glaciers have lost more than 6,500 billion tonnes – or 5% – of their ice since the turn of the century. This unsustainable rate of glacier melt poses a significant threat.

Highlighting the UAE’s recognition of the global consequences of glacier loss, she added, “We embrace our shared responsibility through sustainable water management. Our ambitious Net Zero 2050 Strategy is spearheading the transition to net-zero emissions, while the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036 is guiding our efforts to implement integrated water resources management, aiming to reduce total demand for water resources by 21% and substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors.”

Further strengthening this commitment, and under the vision of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the country is tackling global water scarcity through the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative. The initiative aims to rive awareness, accelerating innovation, and fostering collaboration for a water-resilient future.

Dr. Al Dahak also highlighted the country’s commitment to decarbonised desalination, prioritising Reverse Osmosis (RO) technology. She noted that Abu Dhabi’s Al Taweelah RO plant, part of the Al Taweelah Power and Desalination Complex, is set to become the world’s largest reverse osmosis facility when fully operational. By 2030, the goal is to produce 90 percent of Abu Dhabi’s desalinated water through RO technology. Additionally, DEWA aims to produce 100 percent of desalinated water using clean energy and waste heat by 2030.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE) is also leading agri-tech projects to strategically reduce water consumption, ensuring a comprehensive approach to water security.

“As we observe World Water Day during the blessed month of Ramadan, let us renew our dedication to responsible water consumption in our community and amplify our contributions to global initiatives aimed at safeguarding our invaluable water resources. Every small step counts, and together, these steps can significantly contribute to our planet's water security” Dr. Al Dahak said.

She concluded by emphasising that a water crisis is inherently a climate crisis, and through collaborative efforts, the UAE aims to protect vital water resources and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.