Britain's minimum wage hike; Mexico's unemployment falls: Economic wrap

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Updated 25 October 2021
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Britain's minimum wage hike; Mexico's unemployment falls: Economic wrap

The minimum wage rate in Britain will rise to £9.50 ($13.06) per hour from £8.91, according to the country’s finance ministry.

Rishi Sunak, Britain’s finance minister, said that "this wage boost ensures we're making work pay and keeps us on track to meet our target to end low pay by the end of this Parliament."

Mexico's unemployment

Mexico's unemployment rate slightly declined to 4.2 percent in September from 4.3 percent in the previous month, official data showed. 

The country’s annual economic activity slowed in August to 4.3 percent in August, compared to 7.1 percent in the previous month. This was mainly driven by a slowdown in secondary activities and services, according to Mexico's National Institute of Statistics and Geography.

On a monthly basis, economic activity declined by 1.6 percent.

A setback in European business climate 

Germany’s Ifo business climate indicator experienced a decline in September to 98.9 points, compared to 99.6 points in the previous month. This is the lowest reading in 5 months and was fuelled by shortages in the industrial sector. Manufacturers, service providers and traders all had an unfavorable outlook for the German economy.

In addition, the Turkish manufacturing confidence index declined to 109.6 in October, falling by 3.8 points from September’s 113.4. This is the lowest level since February. Negative outlook for output, employment and export orders —despite a depreciating Lira — all contributed to this slip.

German growth

Economic growth in Germany is expected to decline steeply in the final quarter of this year, the Bundesbank said in a report. Supply shortages and a diminishing demand in services contributed to the downside in forecasts.

Singapore’s inflation

Singapore's annual inflation reached 2.5 percent in September, experiencing little change from August’s figure of 2.4 percent.

The main sources of inflationary pressures were rising food and housing prices, rising by 1.6 percent and 2.3 percent respectively.


Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 11,167  

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Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 11,167  

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index dipped on Wednesday, losing 46.43 points, or 0.41 percent, to close at 11,167.54. 

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR4.88 billion ($1.30 billion), as 66 of the listed stocks advanced, while 192 retreated. 

The MSCI Tadawul Index decreased, down 5.52 points, or 0.37 percent, to close at 1,506.55. 

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu lost 153.40 points, or 0.65 percent, to close at 23,486.52. This comes as 32 of the listed stocks advanced, while 31 retreated. 

The best-performing stock was Tourism Enterprise Co., with its share price surging 9.95 percent to SR14.36. 

Other top performers included Mobile Telecommunication Co., Saudi Arabia, which saw its share price rise by 5.32 percent to SR11.48, and Al Masar Al Shamil Education Co., which saw a 4.86 percent increase to SR22.89. 

On the downside, Almoosa Health Co. was the day’s weakest performer, with its share price falling 4.81 percent to SR150.40. 

Dallah Healthcare Co. fell 3.81 percent to SR113.50, while Saudi Research and Media Group dropped 3.44 percent to SR100.90. 

On the corporate front, Arabian Plastic Industrial Co. has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with K. K. Nag to explore the establishment of a specialized manufacturing facility for expanded polypropylene products. 

According to a Tadawul statement, the agreement sets out initial mutual obligations and rights between the two parties as part of APICO’s broader expansion strategy to increase production capacity and meet rising industrial demand. 

The company’s share price rose 1.21 percent to SR43.52 on the parallel market.