Banks

Stock Markets Rally with Tech in Focus

Asian and European stock markets rallied Wednesday, helped by renewed positivity over the tech sector, analysts said. Hong Kong closed up more than three percent, with investors snapping up stocks following a poor start to the week sparked by fresh concerns over US President Donald Trump's tariff plans. In Europe, Paris and Frankfurt led the ...

Ukraine's Reconstruction Needs Surpass $500 Billion

Ukraine will need over $500 billion to repair the damage resulting from the Russian invasion, which has entered its fourth year, according to a joint assessment published Tuesday. "The total cost of reconstruction and recovery in Ukraine is $524 billion over the next decade," said a statement published by Ukraine, the World Bank Group, the ...

Decline in Commercial Activity According to Beirut Traders Association – Fransabank Index

The Beirut Traders Association – Fransabank Retail Trade Index for the fourth quarter of 2024 (Q4-2024) recorded a value of 31.37, indicating a modest recovery in commercial activity, accompanied by cautious optimism about short-term improvements. In contrast, the index for the third quarter of 2024 had reached 35.06, reflecting a continued ...

After the Withdrawal Limit Increase: What About BDL Reserves?

In a highly anticipated move, Lebanon’s Central Bank (BDL) announced on Wednesday an increase in the withdrawal limits for Circulars 158 and 166, raising them to $500 and $250 per month, respectively, effective March 1. While the decision was welcomed by depositors, it has sparked concerns over its cost and potential impact on BDL’s reserves ...

When Kostanian Admits Defeat and the End of Kulluna Irada’s Project!

The article written by Albert Kostanian, published on al-Modon’s website and titled “Announcing Defeat,” stood out. He begins with the statement: “After nearly six years of media and technical battles, the time has come to announce defeat.” In this article, where every sentence could be analyzed, it is important to focus on several key ...

Stock markets skid after Trump threatens auto tariffs

  Global stock markets mostly fell Wednesday after US President Donald Trump broadened his tariff threats, stoking wider trade war fears. Trump warned the previous day that he would impose tariffs "in the neighbourhood of 25 percent" on auto imports and a similar amount or higher on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals. "Understandably this has ...

BDL Raises Withdrawal Limits of Circulars 158 and 166

The Central Board of Lebanon's Central Bank  (BDL) has approved an increase in withdrawal limits under circulars 158 and 166, allowing depositors to withdraw $500 and $250 per month respectively.  The decision will take effect on March 1, 2025. In a statement issued Wednesday, the BDL explained that the decision aligns with its ongoing policy ...

Figure of the Week: Lebanon’s Fresh Dollar Transactions Surge in 2024, Reaching $302 Million

In 2024, the total value of fresh dollar checks cleared amounted to $302 million, according to data from the Association of Banks in Lebanon (ABL) and the research department at Bank Audi. On average, $25.2 million in fresh dollar checks were cleared each month throughout the year. The value of these checks experienced a monthly increase of 17%, ...

Reactions Against US President Donald Trump's Controversial Plan for Gaza

Arab League secretary-general Ahmed Aboul Gheit on Wednesday rejected any displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and West Bank, calling it "unacceptable" for the region. "The focus today is on Gaza today and tomorrow it will shift to the West Bank with the objective of emptying Palestine of its historical inhabitants," he said at the ...

Islamic State Group Claims Suicide Bombing of Afghan Bank

The Islamic State group claimed Wednesday a suicide bombing of a bank in north Afghanistan which killed five people a day earlier, saying it was targeting Taliban government employees collecting salaries. Violence has waned in Afghanistan since the Taliban surged back to power and ended their insurgency in 2021, but the Islamic State (IS) group ...

US Foreign Aid Halt to Have Major Hit on Poorest Countries: Report

A suspension of US foreign aid and possible dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) will have a major impact on some of the world's poorest countries, the Washington-based Center for Global Development (CGD) warned Tuesday. For more than 20 economies, a year-long pause on US aid could mean a loss of over one percent ...

Real Estate Prices: How Have They Changed Over Time?

Lebanon’s real estate market is currently defined by a mismatch between sellers’ and buyers’ expectations. While sellers are banking on a price increase, driven by hopes of an economic recovery following the election of a president after more than two and a half years of political deadlock, buyers continue to perceive a stagnant market. A ...