Hala,
Elon Musk plans to churn out 5,000 Teslabots in 2025, ramping to 1M by 2027!(1)🚀 By 2026, Tesla factories could have one bot per human on shift. Oh, and Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) is set to surpass human driving safety by Q2 2025 — three months ahead of schedule! Buckle up for a bot-filled future! 🚗✨
amana’s Take
- Mark your calendars for non-farm payroll data due on Friday, 17:30 UAE time! Economists are eyeing a gain of 160,000 jobs in the U.S. in December, cooling off from November’s 227,000 surge as post-strike recoveries fade. Unemployment is expected to hold steady at 4.2%, but keep an eye on those hourly earnings — they’re pegged at a solid 4% year-over-year.
- With inflation fears and trade policy uncertainties in play, the Fed isn’t exactly sprinting toward rate cuts. Friday’s data will offer clues on whether they’ll stay cautious or shift gears — making this report a key barometer for monetary policy.
- The NFP’s ripple effect on the dollar could be huge. A strong report might give the greenback a boost, while weaker-than-expected numbers could leave it wobbly. Either way, traders should buckle up — it’s going to be a data-driven ride.
Stock Market Update
🎢📊 European stocks rode the rollercoaster on Thursday, with global markets zeroing in on inflation trends. The Stoxx 600 climbed 0.42% to 515.84, the U.K.’s FTSE 100 shined 0.83% to 8,319.69, and Germany’s DAX dipped 0.06% to 20,317.10. Meanwhile, the U.S. trading floors fell silent in tribute to former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral.(2) 🙏🔕
📈📉 Gulf markets mirrored the vibe as signs of U.S. economic resilience rained on hopes for sharp rate cuts. Abu Dhabi stayed steady at 9,463, while Dubai managed a 0.4% gain to 5,229.(3) ⬇️⬆️
🎈📈 UN Raises Global Growth Forecast
The global economy is floating on some newfound optimism, with the U.N. nudging its 2025 growth forecast up a notch from 2.7% to 2.8%.(4) It’s like a hot air balloon catching a favorable breeze — lower inflation is giving it lift. However, the forecast comes with a warning: Donald Trump, set to take office as U.S. president on January 20, has signaled plans to impose new tariffs on imports. These could act as sandbags on the balloon, potentially stalling growth by disrupting trade, increasing costs, and reigniting inflationary pressures. 🚀🛑
📊 Key Indicators for 2025:
- Global Growth Forecast: Up to 2.8%, with a further rise to 2.9% expected in 2026.
- Central Bank Moves: According to the UN, 67 out of 108 central banks have already lowered key interest rates, with 20 more poised to follow.
- US Economy: A steady 1.9% growth predicted (down from last year but still solid).
- China: Forecasted to grow 4.8%, up from 4.5% previously projected.
- Eurozone and Japan: Not as sunny — forecasts adjusted downward to 1.1% and 1%, respectively.
- India: Still leading the pack with a strong 6.6% growth prediction. 🌎📉
🏋️♂️🚧 A Weighty Warning on Trade
While inflation has cooled in many corners, the U.N. cautioned that rising trade barriers could reinflate prices, putting central banks in a tough spot. Imagine our balloon trying to rise with new tariffs pulling it down — manufacturing disruptions, pricier imports, and shaken investment flows could all spell turbulence. “Countries cannot ignore these perils,” U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres declared, urging international cooperation. But with geopolitical tensions and protectionist policies on the rise, the climb might be steeper than hoped. 🎈⚠️
Closer to Home
- 🏦 UAE banks are set to flex their lending muscles in 2025, fueled by looser monetary reins and an economy in full bloom.(5) Looks like it’s growth season in the financial garden! 🌱
- 🤝 Dubai’s developer DAMAC and blockchain platform MANTRA are teaming up to tokenize $1B worth of Middle Eastern assets — turning real-world properties into tradeable digital tokens.(6) Talk about leveling up the property game! 🏗️
- 🔥 Saudi Aramco and Algeria’s Sonatrach gave liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices a January trim by 1.6%-6% as demand cooled. Propane dropped $10 to $625 a metric ton while butane shed $15 to $615 — a gas price diet!(7) 💨
What Else Is Trending
- 💃 Online fast-fashion retailer giant Shein is gearing up for its London IPO catwalk by Easter, pending regulatory approval.(8) Looks like the runway’s set for a financial spring collection! 👜
- 🔥 Meanwhile, oil prices warmed up over 1% on Thursday as chilly weather across the U.S. and Europe boosted winter fuel demand. Brent rose 1.02% to $76.94, and WTI climbed 0.89% to $73.97.(9) ❄️
- ✨ On the other hand, spot gold took a breather, slipping 0.1% to $2,659.62 as traders cashed in on a near four-week high. All eyes are now on Friday’s jobs report.(10) 🧐
💬Quote of the Day
“In our interconnected economy, shocks on one side of the world push up prices on the other. Every country is affected and must be part of the solution.” — António Guterres, the U.N.’s secretary-general
Build your plan: https://amana.app/campaigns/amanainvest
Sources:(1) Next Big Future, (2) (9) (10) CNBC, (3) (7) (8) Reuters, (4) The Wall Street Journal, (5) (6) Zawya
