LONDON: The world’s stock markets struggled for direction Thursday as investors paused for breath, while bitcoin spiked to a dizzying record above $15,000 on frenzied speculative buying, dealers said.
Paris stocks crept 0.2 higher and Frankfurt gained 0.4 percent, but London turned 0.4 percent lower.
Wall Street rose modestly, with the Dow adding 0.3 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite climbing 0.7 percent. Analysts said investor sentiment was still hamstrung by coming political battles surrounding a US tax reform plan.
Much focus, meanwhile, was on bitcoin which set a fresh record as investors’ jaws dropped at the cryptocurrency’s meteoric rise.
Bitcoin, which is not traded on traditional currency market, powered to a fresh high of $15,969.99, before falling back according to Bloomberg data.
The controversial virtual unit has soared more than 50 percent in just one week, but analysts warn that the snowballing rally could melt in the run-up to Christmas.
“While the European stocks indices try and shake off yesterday’s politically-driven bearish trading, bitcoin — seemingly unencumbered by anything in the real world — has continued its astonishing march,” Spreadex trader Connor Campbell told AFP.
“The rolling wave of speculation has given bitcoin a huge amount of momentum, a snowball effect that may be melted when the cryptocurrency’s futures are launched in a few weeks.”
“Bitcoin is continuing to travel at break-neck speed,” CMC Markets analyst David Madden told AFP.
“The alternative investment is proving to be very popular at a time when traditional assets like gold are under pressure,” he added, noting the precious metal had touched a four-month low.
Bitcoin received a major boost in October when exchange giant CME Group announced it would launch a futures marketplace for bitcoin, which has not been listed on a major bourse before.
“Bitcoin... has registered yet another milestone in its never-ending rally,” added IG analyst Chris Beauchamp.
“There seems no end to the supply of willing buyers, with the endless progression of higher prices simply fueling the mania.”
Tokyo stocks rallied on Thursday after three days of losses, but regional Asian markets were dogged by political concerns, the latest being US President Donald Trump’s controversial decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
After a blockbuster year for most global markets — helped by bets on Trump’s promise to cut taxes and ramp up spending — geopolitical worries and dealers winding down for the year’s end have put them on course for a painful December.
Trump’s Jerusalem decision drew swift global condemnation and fanned fears about the overall prospects for stability in the Middle East.
That followed news this week that one of the president’s former close advisers had admitted lying to investigators in a probe into Russian meddling in the US election, bringing it closer to the White House.
Elsewhere, Britain’s struggles to hammer out a deal with the EU on the Irish border question have left Brexit talks in limbo, meaning the second phase of the negotiations — on trade — cannot yet go ahead.
_ _ _
London — FTSE 100: DOWN 0.4 percent at 7,320.75 points (close)
Frankfurt — DAX 30: UP 0.4 percent at 13,045.15, (close)
Paris — CAC 40: UP 0.2 at 5,383.86 (close)
EURO STOXX 50: UP 0.2 percent at 3,567.50
New York — DOW: UP 0.3 percent at 24,201.53
Tokyo — Nikkei 225: UP 1.5 percent at 22,498.03 (close)
Hong Kong — Hang Seng: UP 0.3 percent at 28,303.19 (close)
Shanghai — Composite: DOWN 0.7 percent at 3,272.05 (close)
Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1799 from $1.1795 at 2200 GMT
Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3421 from $1.3393
Dollar/yen: UP at 112.65 yen from 112.27 yen
Oil — Brent North Sea: UP 75 cents at $61.97 per barrel
Oil — West Texas Intermediate: UP 41 cents at $56.37
Stock markets go nowhere as bitcoin smashes record
Stock markets go nowhere as bitcoin smashes record
Saudi investment pipeline active as reforms advance, says Pakistan minister
ALULA: Pakistan’s Finance Minister Mohammed Aurangzeb described Saudi Arabia as a “longstanding partner” and emphasized the importance of sustainable, mutually beneficial cooperation, particularly in key economic sectors.
Speaking to Arab News on the sidelines of the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies, Aurangzeb said the relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia remains resilient despite global geopolitical tensions.
“The Kingdom has been a longstanding partner of Pakistan for the longest time, and we are very grateful for how we have been supported through thick and thin, through rough patches and, even now that we have achieved macroeconomic stability, I think we are now well positioned for growth.”
Aurangzeb said the partnership has facilitated investment across several sectors, including minerals and mining, information technology, agriculture, and tourism. He cited an active pipeline of Saudi investments, including Wafi’s entry into Pakistan’s downstream oil and gas sector.
“The Kingdom has been very public about their appetite for the country, and the sectors are minerals and mining, IT, agriculture, tourism; and there are already investments which have come in. For example, Wafi came in (in terms of downstream oil and gas stations). There’s a very active pipeline.”
He said private sector activity is driving growth in these areas, while government-to-government cooperation is focused mainly on infrastructure development.
Acknowledging longstanding investor concerns related to bureaucracy and delays, Aurangzeb said Pakistan has made progress over the past two years through structural reforms and fiscal discipline, alongside efforts to improve the business environment.
“The last two years we have worked very hard in terms of structural reforms, in terms of what I call getting the basic hygiene right, in terms of the fiscal situation, the current economic situation (…) in terms of all those areas of getting the basic hygiene in a good place.”
Aurangzeb highlighted mining and refining as key areas of engagement, including discussions around the Reko Diq project, while stressing that talks with Saudi investors extend beyond individual ventures.
“From my perspective, it’s not just about one mine, the discussions will continue with the Saudi investors on a number of these areas.”
He also pointed to growing cooperation in the IT sector, particularly in artificial intelligence, noting that several Pakistani tech firms are already in discussions with Saudi counterparts or have established offices in the Kingdom.
Referring to recent talks with Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim, Aurangzeb said Pakistan’s large freelance workforce presents opportunities for deeper collaboration, provided skills development keeps pace with demand.
“I was just with (Saudi) minister of economy and planning, and he was specifically referring to the Pakistani tech talent, and he is absolutely right. We have the third-largest freelancer population in the world, and what we need to do is to ensure that we upscale, rescale, upgrade them.”
Aurangzeb also cited opportunities to benefit from Saudi Arabia’s experience in the energy sector and noted continued cooperation in defense production.
Looking ahead, he said Pakistan aims to recalibrate its relationship with Saudi Arabia toward trade and investment rather than reliance on aid.
“Our prime minister has been very clear that we want to move this entire discussion as we go forward from aid and support to trade and investment.”
