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UK inflation falls by more than anticipated, in boost to govt ahead of key statement

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Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves is shown a military vehicle during a visit to Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) in Telford, England on March 24. (AP)

LONDON, March 26, (AP): Price rises in the UK moderated by more than anticipated in February, official figures showed Wednesday, in a boost for Treasury chief Rachel Reeves before she delivers a statement to lawmakers about the state of the public finances. The Office for National Statistics said consumer price inflation fell to 2.8% from 3% the previous month.

Most analysts had expected a more modest decline to 2.9%. The agency said the price of clothes, particularly women’s clothes, was the biggest driver for this fall. The latest figures mean the cost of living is still rising for households across the UK – and inflation remains above the Bank of England’s 2% target – but at a much slower rate than in recent years.

Last week, the bank kept its main UK interest rate unchanged at 4.50% even though the economy is barely growing and the nation faces more uncertainty in light of the tariff policies being enacted by the Trump administration in the US. The bigger-than-forecast inflation drop could provide some relief for Reeves as she prepares to deliver her spring statement on Wednesday afternoon. She is expected to announce spending cuts for some government departments and respond to weaker economic growth projections from the independent forecaster.

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India’s Modi announces credit worth $565 million to Maldives and launches free trade talks

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President of the Maldives Mohamed Muizzu, right, shakes hand with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi after signing a memorandum of understanding between the two countries in Male, Maldives on July 25. (AP)

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, July 26, (AP): Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced a $565-million line of credit to the Maldives during a visit to the Indian Ocean archipelago, as the two countries launched formal talks for a free-trade agreement. Modi is visiting the Maldives, known for its upmarket tourist resorts, to mark the 60th anniversary of its independence and diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The announcement came during Modi’s joint media statement with Maldives’ President Mohamed Muizzu. The two-day visit is crucial to India’s ambition to control the seas and shipping routes of the Indian Ocean in a race with its regional rival China. It also marks the further easing of diplomatic tensions between the two nations that followed the election of pro-China Muizzu in 2023.

Regional powers India and China compete for influence in the archipelago nation, which is strategically located in the Indian Ocean. On Friday, Modi witnessed the exchange of agreements to cooperate in sectors such as fisheries, health, tourism and digital development. He also formally handed dozens of heavy vehicles to the Maldives’ defense forces.

“India is Maldives’ closest neighbor. Maldives holds an important place in both India’s neighborhood- first policy and ocean vision,” Modi said. “India is also proud to be Maldives’ most trusted friend.” The line of credit will be used for “infrastructure and development projects in line with the priorities of the people of the Maldives,” he said.

“India will continue to support Maldives in developing its defense capabilities. Peace, stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region is our common goal,” he added. During Muizzu’s visit to India last October, India announced financial support to the cash-strapped Maldives in the form of a $100-million treasury bills rollover and the countries signed a $400-million currency swap agreement.

Tensions between India and the Maldives grew since Muizzu, who favored closer ties with China, was elected in 2023 after defeating India-friendly incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Leading up to the election, Muizzu had promised to expel Indian soldiers deployed in the Maldives to help with humanitarian assistance. Last year New Delhi replaced dozens of its soldiers in the Maldives with civilian experts.  

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Kuwait Airways earns $324 million in Q2 2025, marking 6% growth

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Kuwait Airways earns $324 million in Q2 2025, marking 6% growth

Kuwait Airways reports higher sales and lower costs in the second quarter of 2025.

KUWAIT CITY, July 26: Kuwait Airways announced Friday that its operating revenue for the second quarter of 2025 reached USD 324 million, reflecting a 6 percent increase compared to the first quarter of the year.

In a statement posted on its official account on platform X, the national carrier also reported sales revenues totaling USD 285 million, representing a 14 percent rise from the previous quarter.

The airline further noted a significant reduction in operational costs, which dropped by USD 19.4 million during the second quarter — a 20 percent savings compared to the first three months of the year.

Operational efficiency also showed improvement, with on-time performance (OTP) reaching 85 percent, according to the statement.

The number of departing flights climbed to 7,063 in Q2, a 9 percent increase from Q1, while the total number of passengers also rose by 9 percent to reach one million during the same period.

Kuwait Airways, founded in 1953 as a private entity under the name Kuwait National Airways Limited, launched its first flight on March 16, 1954. The Kuwaiti government acquired full ownership of the company in 1962.

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How UAE Traders Are Adjusting Their Forex Strategies as Global Markets Stay Volatile in 2025

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The year 2025 continues to test global financial systems with persistent volatility. From central bank policy shifts and oil price instability to geopolitical tensions in key markets, traders are operating in an environment that demands flexibility and a deeper understanding of global macroeconomics. In the UAE, where financial activity is closely linked to international movements, traders are refining their strategies to remain competitive and secure.

Whether it’s retail investors in Dubai or institutional players in Abu Dhabi, the need to adapt to changing conditions in forex trading has become more important than ever. The dynamic shifts in global economics are not just influencing decision-making, they are reshaping how UAE traders evaluate risk, execute trades, and manage exposure across currency pairs.

Focus on Capital Protection and Controlled Risk

A major shift among UAE-based traders is the move toward capital protection strategies. In a volatile environment, limiting downside is often more crucial than maximising short-term gains. Traders are increasingly incorporating stop-loss rules and portfolio diversification as part of their risk control protocols.

Platforms offering position sizing calculators and risk-reward analysis tools have become essential in the decision-making process. This reflects a broader change where the success of a trade is not just about profit, but about how effectively risk is managed over time.

Shift to Shorter-Term Strategies

With long-term market direction often clouded by sudden news events or unexpected central bank interventions, many UAE traders are shifting to shorter timeframes. Scalping and intraday strategies have grown in popularity due to their ability to take advantage of small market moves without staying exposed overnight.

This approach allows traders to stay agile, locking in profits within hours and avoiding market gaps or weekend volatility. Moreover, this flexibility fits well within the mobile-driven trading environment favoured by UAE’s tech-savvy investor base.

Increased Use of Technical Tools

As markets fluctuate more wildly, reliance on technical indicators and automated signals has increased. UAE traders are leveraging platforms with robust charting capabilities and advanced analytics to make real-time decisions.

Commonly used tools include:

  • Relative Strength Index (RSI) for overbought/oversold signals
  • Moving Averages to detect trend direction
  • Fibonacci retracements for identifying entry and exit zones
  • Bollinger Bands for measuring price volatilitynn

These tools are especially helpful when market fundamentals become unpredictable or are dominated by sentiment-driven movements.

Demand for Education and Market Analysis

With volatility comes a growing appetite for market knowledge. Traders in the UAE are increasingly participating in webinars, workshops, and market outlook sessions. Brokerages and educational platforms have responded by offering localised content, including Arabic-language tutorials and Gulf-focused economic briefings.

This demand reflects a professionalisation of the retail trader profile. Instead of speculative behaviour, many UAE-based individuals are approaching trading as a skill-based discipline that requires ongoing learning and strategic planning.

Diversification Beyond Major Pairs

Another trend is diversification beyond the usual EUR/USD or GBP/USD trades. UAE traders are exploring opportunities in emerging market currencies, regional forex pairs, and even commodity-linked currencies such as AUD and CAD.

Reasons behind this diversification include:

  • Seeking new volatility pockets for trading opportunities
  • Avoiding overexposure to dollar-related movements
  • Taking advantage of regional economic trends and oil-linked currencies
  • Hedging positions with less correlated pairs

This broader view is a direct response to global uncertainty, where traditional safe-haven dynamics have become less predictable.

Adaptation to Regulatory and Platform Changes

The UAE’s trading environment is also shaped by evolving regulatory frameworks and technology infrastructure. As SCA (Securities and Commodities Authority) continues to refine its policies around online trading and leverage limits, local traders are becoming more compliant and informed.

Broker selection now includes factors such as:

  • Regulated status in the UAE or other tier-1 jurisdictions
  • Availability of Islamic trading accounts
  • Fast execution speeds with minimal slippage
  • Robust mobile and desktop platforms with analytics

These considerations are crucial for long-term trading sustainability in a heavily digitised and regulated marketplace.

Conclusion

In 2025, global market volatility has turned traditional forex strategies on their head. UAE traders, known for their adaptability and innovation, are rising to the challenge by embracing risk management, technical precision, educational growth, and strategic diversification.

As the world economy continues to shift, these traders are proving that informed, disciplined, and flexible approaches to forex trading are not only effective but essential in uncertain times.

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