As part of an official state visit by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said to Algeria, the Oman Investment Authority (OIA) and Algeria’s Ministry of Finance have signed a preliminary agreement to establish a strategic investment fund valued at OMR 115 million (approximately USD 298.79 million).According to OIA, the fund will target key sectors...
Creativity in Chaos: How Bankers Are Rescuing M&A Amid Trump’s Tariff Turmoil
Trump’s sweeping tariffs have jolted markets, but dealmakers are finding ingenious ways to keep M&A moving — even if it means rewriting the playbook.🔹 Silver Lake’s $4.46B Altera Deal with Intel now includes deferred payments:$1B postponed (half due end-2025, half by 2027).Clever structure boosts IRR without cutting Intel’s proceeds.If market (SOX index) recovers, part of...
FTSE 100 Edges Up as Investors Eye U.S. Tariff Talks; WPP Sees Worst Drop in 30+ Years
The FTSE 100 closed slightly higher on Wednesday, up 0.2%, as markets digested escalating U.S. trade tensions and corporate developments.🔻 WPP shares plunged 19% — the steepest one-day fall in over three decades — after the ad giant slashed its profit outlook due to client exits, spending cuts, and weak new business in June. The...
Tariff Turmoil Shakes Traditional Safe Havens, Leaves Investors Scrambling
Trump’s aggressive tariffs — including a stunning 104% duty on Chinese goods — have triggered market dislocation. But what’s more alarming is the erosion of faith in traditional safe havens. Familiar sanctuaries are no longer safe.1. Dollar DethronedOnce the king of currencies, the USD has lost its shine:Down 5% YTD, despite rising yields.State Street’s Michael...
FX Options Surge Amid Tariff Risks
FX options trading is booming as investors hedge against tariff uncertainties. With new reciprocal tariffs expected on April 2, demand for FX options—contracts allowing investors to buy/sell currencies at preset rates—has surged.📈 Key Trends & Market Moves:✅ Volatility Drop: Lower FX volatility has reduced option costs by 16%-17% (EUR/USD & USD/CAD).✅ Soaring Volumes: OTC EUR/USD...
Investors Eye U.S. Junk Bonds Despite Tariff Deadline Fears
As the U.S. approaches the July 9 expiry of Trump’s 90-day tariff pause, bond investors are showing renewed confidence in high-yield debt, diverging from the panic seen after April’s “Liberation Day” announcement.📉 Back in April, high-yield credit spreads hit 2-year highs, but since then have tightened by 149 bps, reflecting stronger market sentiment (ICE BofA...
