Saudi bourse records highest close since December 2024

Saudi Arabia’s benchmark Tadawul All Share Index (TASI) closed 117 points or 1.1% higher at 11,194 points on Monday, the highest close since December 2024. Total turnover was recorded at SR 10.6 billion.

The Saudi stock market, the largest bourse in the Arab world, began trading on Monday with a significant drop of more than 400 points, reaching its lowest level of the day at 10,657 points, before recouping these losses to close in green. The market fell more than 800 points on Sunday.

Monday's upward trend in the Saudi market contrasts with global financial markets, which witnessed significant declines on the day. This was in addition to the third consecutive day of declines in oil prices, due to fears of a global trade war and an economic recession following US tariffs and Chinese counter-tariffs.

Saudi Aramco shares rose one percent to SR25.25 on Monday after suffering huge losses a day ago when its market value fell by more than SR340 billion.

National Education shares topped Monday's gains, rising 9% while ACWA Power shares rose 7% to and Al-Tawuniya shares rose 5% to, following the company's announcement of cash dividends to shareholders. CATRION, Sulaiman Al Habib, Mobily, Yamama Cement, Aldrees, Advanced, and Qassim Cement gained 3% to 6%.

In contrast, SABIC shares fell one percent and BATIC led the declines falling 10 percent.

Other Gulf stock markets also pared the heavy losses they incurred at the start of trading on Monday. The Dubai Financial Market lost 152.46 points at the close, recording a decline of 3.08%. FTSE Abu Dhabi General Index fell 2.59%. The Dubai Financial Market index fell by about 6% in morning trading, bringing its losses to nearly 10% in three trading sessions and 15% since February.

PSX benchmark index down 3.27%

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) plunged by 3,882 points on Monday amid global market turmoil following China’s retaliatory tariffs against the United States. The benchmark KSE-100 index plunged by 3,882.18 points, or 3.27% to 114,909.48 from the previous close of 118,791.66.

Trading was earlier halted at the PSX for an hour after the benchmark index plummeted by 6,000 points triggering the suspension, only to drop another 2,000 points when trading resumed.

The automatic circuit breakers are designed to prevent panic selling and provide investors time to reassess during extreme market volatility.

The benchmark KSE-100 index initially declined by 6,287.22 points, or 5.29% by 11:58am (PST), before trading was halted. Shortly after reopening, it declined by a cumulative 8,687.69, or 7.31%, from the last close to 110,103.97 at 1:15pm.

At 2:02pm, the index was at 113,154.63, down by 5,637.03 points or 4.75%, from the last close.

The previous time that the PSX had seen such a massive slump was on December 19, 2024 when the KSE-100 index shed 4,795.31 points amid rising political noise and missile program-related US sanctions on Pakistani companies.

Awais Ashraf, director research at AKD Securities, attributed the decline to “investors’ fears that tariff hikes could lead to global recession through weaker demand”.

“We believe being an import-led economy … the imposition of US tariffs would benefit us due to possible decline in global commodity prices,” he added.

Mohammed Sohail, chief executive of Topline Securities, also attributed the decline to the global market crash.

He noted that the stock market had halted after falling 5pc to cool down around 12pm.

He said that the oil and gas exploration sector, technology, and textile sector were expected to be affected as they were either linked to global commodity prices or global aggregate demand.

Arif Habib Limited, in a note, said this was a historic day-on-day decline, leading to a market halt.

Yousuf M. Farooq, director research at Chase Securities, said markets were broadly down on fears of a global recession. About the initial decline, he had noted that the index had witnessed a relatively modest drop compared to other regional markets.

He noted that there was notable selling pressure in oil and banking stocks.

“Lower oil prices are expected to negatively impact earnings for oil exploration companies,” he stated, highlighting that at the same time, textile exporters could “face headwinds from new US tariffs”.

“While these tariffs pose short-term risks, particularly for the textile sector, the overall impact of the US trade policy may prove neutral to positive for Pakistan — especially if commodity prices stay low,” he added.

On the government’s role, he stressed that the federal government would have to “move quickly and start negotiations for the removal of tariffs from Pakistani products”.

Stocks plunge as Trump initiates trade war

Global stocks sunk, a day after US President Donald Trump announced sweeping new tariffs that are forecast to raise prices and weigh on growth in the United States and around the world, reports the Saudi Gazette.

Stock markets in the Asia-Pacific region fell for a second day, hot on the heels of the S&P 500, which had its worst day since Covid crashed the economy in 2020. Nike, Apple and Target were among big consumer names worst hit, all of them sinking by more than 9%.

At the White House, Trump told reporters the US economy would "boom" thanks to the minimum 10% tariff he plans to slap on global imports in the hope of boosting federal revenues and bringing American manufacturing home.

The Republican president plans to hit products from dozens of other countries with far higher levies, including trade partners such as China and the European Union.

China, which is facing an aggregate 54% tariff, and the EU, which faces duties of 20%, both vowed retaliation on Thursday. French President Emmanuel Macron called for European firms to suspend planned investment in the United States.

Tariffs are taxes on goods imported from other countries, and Trump's plan that he announced on Wednesday would hike such duties to some of the highest levels in more than 100 years.

In morning trading on Friday, Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index fell by 2.7% and Australia's ASX 200 was down by 1.6%. The Kospi in South Korea was flat to slightly lower. Markets in mainland China and Hong Kong were closed for the Qingming Festival.

Earlier on Thursday, the S&P 500 — which tracks 500 of the biggest American firms — plunged 4.8%, shedding roughly US$2 trillion in value. The Dow Jones closed about 4% lower, while the Nasdaq tumbled roughly 6%. The US shares sell-off has been going on since mid-February amid trade war fears.

Britain’s FTSE 100 share index dropped 1.5% and other European markets also fell, echoing declines from Japan to Hong Kong.

On Thursday at the White House, Trump doubled down on a high-stakes gambit aimed at reversing decades of US-led liberalization that shaped the global trade order.

"I think it's going very well," he said. "It was an operation like when a patient gets operated on, and it's a big thing. I said this would exactly be the way it is."

He added, "The markets are going to boom. The stock is going to boom. The country is going to boom."

Contradicting White House aides who insisted the new tariffs were not a negotiating tactic, Trump signalled he might be open to a deal with trade partners "if somebody said we're going to give you something that's so phenomenal".

On Thursday, Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney said that country would retaliate with a 25% levy on vehicles imported from the US.

Trump last month imposed tariffs of 25% on Canada and Mexico, though he did not announce any new duties on Wednesday against the North American trade partners.

Firms now face a choice of swallowing the tariff cost, working with partners to share that burden, or passing it on to consumers — and risking a drop in sales.

That could have a major impact as US consumer spending amounts to about 10% to 15% of the world economy, according to some estimates.

While stocks fell on Thursday, the price of gold, which is seen as a safer asset in times of turbulence, touched a record high of US$3,167.57 an ounce at one point on Thursday, before falling back.

The dollar also weakened against many other currencies.

In Europe, the tariffs could drag down growth by nearly a percentage point, with a further hit if the bloc retaliates, according to analysts at Principal Asset Management.

In the US, a recession is likely to materialize without other changes, such as big tax cuts, which Trump has also promised, warned Seema Shah, chief global strategist at the firm. She said Trump's goals of boosting manufacturing would be a years-long process "if it happens at all".

"In the meantime, the steep tariffs on imports are likely to be an immediate drag on the economy, with limited short-term benefit," she said.

On Thursday, Stellantis, which makes Jeep, Fiat and other brands, said it was temporarily halting production at a factory in Toluca, Mexico and Windsor, Canada. It said the move, a response to Trump's 25% tax on car imports, would also lead to temporary layoffs of 900 people at five plants in the US that supply those factories.

Nike, which makes much of its sportswear in Asia, was among the hardest hit on the S&P, with shares down 14%. Shares in Apple, which relies heavily on China and Taiwan, tumbled 9%. Other retailers also fell, with Target down roughly 10%.

Motorbike maker Harley-Davidson – which was subject of retaliatory tariffs by the EU during Trump's first term as president – fell 10%.

In Europe, shares in sportswear firm Adidas fell more than 10%, while stocks in rival Puma tumbled more than 9%.

"You're seeing retailers get destroyed right now because tariffs extended to countries we did not expect," said Jay Woods, chief global strategy at Freedom Capital Markets, adding that he expected more turbulence ahead.

Who is responsible for the killing of Gazans?

The question of who is responsible for the killing of Gazans is complex and deeply tied to the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Responsibility depends on the context, perspective, and the specific events being referred to. In this post an attempt is being made to understand the present situation and propose a plausible solution:

Humanitarian perspective:

The Israeli military is often held responsible for a significant number of civilian casualties in Gaza, especially during major military operations. Israel says it targets Hamas and other militant groups, but these operations have resulted in many civilian deaths due to the densely populated nature of Gaza

Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza are also accused for operating from within civilian areas, use human shields, or launch rockets indiscriminately into Israeli territory, provoking retaliatory strikes and contributing to the cycle of violence.

International perspective:

International organizations, like the United Nations and human rights groups ‑ Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch ‑ accuse both Israel and Palestinian armed groups for the lingering conflict resulting in huge loss of human lives, particularly women and children.

Israel often accused of disproportionate use of force and blockade policies that severely impact civilians.

Palestinian groups are condemned for indiscriminate rocket attacks and operating in ways that endanger Israeli civilians.

Structural and political responsibility:

Long-term occupation, blockade, and lack of a viable peace process can be termed as structural causes of repeated violence.

Israel controls most of Gaza’s borders, airspace, and resources, while Hamas governs internally but with limited capacity.

International actors, including the United States, Egypt, Iran, and others, also play roles through military aid, political backing, or indirect support.

Crux of the Matter:

Direct military actions causing deaths are typically attributed to the Israeli military or Palestinian armed groups, depending on perspective of on lookers. Broader responsibility lies with political leaders, ongoing occupation, militant governance, and an international community that has often failed to resolve the underlying issues.

Way Forward:

Israel, now fully supported by US President Donald Trump wants complete cleansing/ exit of Gazans. During the ongoing conflict nearly 100,000 Gazans, mostly women and children have been killed. However, Gazans resolve has sustained are they are not ready to desert their homeland.

The other and more civilized option is creation of two states, Israel and Palestine. Saudi Arabia and many other Muslim countries support this.

United States also initiated Abraham Accords paving way for the recognition of Israel. However, many supporters of this initiative want Israel to go back to its original borders and let the Palestinians manage their own state.

Gaza 'Riviera of the Middle East'

Now the real stumbling block is US President Trump's plan to make Gaza 'Riviera of the Middle East' which requires all the 2.2 million residents to vacate the strip. This vision involved the United States taking control of Gaza, relocating its approximately two million Palestinian residents to neighboring countries, and redeveloping the area into a luxury resort destination. Trump suggested that Gaza's coastal location could make it "better than Monaco" if redeveloped appropriately.

This proposal received strong support from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials, who viewed it as a means to disarm Hamas and alter the region's dynamics. However, it faced significant criticism internationally. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres labeled the plan as "ethnic cleansing," emphasizing that forcibly transferring populations violates international law. Arab nations, including Jordan, also rejected the proposal, with Jordan's King Abdullah II expressing firm opposition to the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.

The plan also sparked debate within the United States, with bipartisan concerns about its feasibility and ethical implications. Critics argued that it misread the interests of Arab partners and could destabilize the region further. Facing mounting opposition, President Trump later stated that he would "recommend" but not enforce the plan, indicating a step back from the initial proposal.

 

 

 

 

Anti-Trump Demonstrations across 50 States

According to the Hill, hundreds of thousands of demonstrators are hitting the streets across the country on Saturday in protest of President Donald Trump and his administration.

The “Hands Off!” rallies are taking place in more than 1,000 cities across all 50 states, and nearly 400,000 people have signed up to attend the protests, according to the progressive organization Indivisible, which is one of the almost 200 groups partnering to organize the event. 

Protesters are demanding an end to billionaire influence and “rampant corruption” in the administration, a stop to Social Security and Medicare cuts, and an end to attacks on trans people, immigrants and other marginalized communities.

Early Saturday morning, on Capitol Hill, the Senate voted to adopt a budget resolution that will kickstart the implementation of Trump’s domestic agenda. The measure passed with a 51-48 vote after the upper chamber worked through the night.

The deal, which still needs to pass the House, has drawn the ire of some House Republicans, with one lawmaker even calling the resolution “unserious and disappointing.” 

This all comes as the economy reels from Trump’s sweeping tariffs on US trading partners after brutal few days for the stock market.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris praised the “Hands Off!” rallies occurring across the country on Saturday.

“Today in every state across our nation, Americans are standing up to the administration as they implement Project 2025 at full speed,” she wrote on the social platform X, referencing the Heritage Foundation’s political playbook.

“The voices of working people will always be louder than the unelected billionaires” she added, thanking demonstrators for speaking out against the Trump administration and its agenda.

Rep. Melanie Stansbury thanked demonstrators across the US for protesting against the Trump administration on Saturday.

“Across the country and back at home, people are coming out to rally and tell Donald Trump and Elon Musk to hand off our healthcare, our veterans, and our democracy,” she wrote on the social platform X

“Thankful to everyone organizing, standing up, and speaking out,” she added.

Rep. Al Green promised to bring forth articles of impeachment against President Trump within the next 30 days on Saturday.

“You don’t deserve the office you hold,” he said at a Washington rally. “You can’t be entrusted with liberty and justice for all. You can’t be entrusted with the government of the people by the people for the people.”

“I’m coming for you,” the Texas Democrat added, donning a shirt reading “censured not silenced.”

Green made headlines earlier this year after he was censured for his protest during Trump’s joint address to Congress in March.

In February, Green signaled he would introduce impeachment efforts over the president’s comments about Gaza.

Rep. Don Beyer railed against President Trump, stating his recent tariffs are “destroying our economy.”

“Donald Trump says he wants to ‘Make America Great Again,’” he said to a crowd in Washington on Saturday. “But he is going to make America the 1930s again.”

“Herbet Hoover gave us the stock market crash of 1929,” Beyer added. “Donald Trump gave us the stock market crash of 2025.”

The Virginia Democrat went on to encourage listeners to take charge against the administration.

“We will be fearless, relentless, angry, smart, and we will be tireless,” he said.

 

Bangladesh and the US tariff storm

US President Donald Trump yesterday stood in the White House Rose Garden, pointing to an oversized placard with details of levies he is set to impose on imports from America’s trading partners. Trump dramatically ratcheted up his trade war. Bangladesh is among those countries whose labor-intensive export industries will receive a heavy blow.

Under Trump’s “reciprocal tariffs” policy, Bangladeshi exports to the United States now face a 37% levy — a move that threatens to strain trade with its largest single-country export market.

Trump has targeted nations, accusing them of putting disproportionate barriers to American exports. He imposed 10% universal tariffs on all US trade partners as well as additional, heavier duties on 60 countries he deemed the “worst offenders” of unfair trade practices. The universal tariffs will start on Saturday before the country-specific, higher reciprocal tariff takes effect from April 09. 2025.

The penalties unleashed turbulence across world markets and drew condemnation from many countries facing the end of an era of trade liberalization that has shaped the global order for decades.

While significant for Bangladesh, this move aligns with similarly stringent tariffs across the region, suggesting a broader strategic intent rather than targeting Bangladesh alone.

Notably, Vietnam, a close competitor for Bangladesh in the international garment trade, faces an even higher tariff of 46%, despite the Southeast Asian nation’s proactive attempts to mitigate tariff threats by cutting levies on American goods and pledging to increase imports of significant US products.

However, this offers little comfort to Bangladesh. Its economy, heavily reliant on exports to the United States, particularly garments, now faces headwinds.

“For countries like Bangladesh and other developing countries, this shift poses significant challenges, as they may face tougher economic conditions under such an uncertain regime,” Professor Selim Raihan, executive director of the South Asian Network on Economic Modeling, said.

Industry experts in Dhaka fear the sharp increase in tariffs could erode Bangladesh’s competitive edge, potentially diverting US buyers to other countries. Still, the US will remain Bangladesh’s largest single-country export destination, with apparel constituting about 90% of total exports to American markets.

Bangladesh’s exports to the US rose 1.1%YoY to US$8.4 billion in 2024, driven largely by the country’s dominant garment sector, according to data from the United States Trade Representative.

Bangladesh’s imports from the US totaled US$2.2 billion in 2024, a 1.5% decrease from the previous year. As a result, the US trade deficit with Bangladesh widened to US$6.2 billion — a figure that determined the new tariff rate.

“The immediate priority is damage control, as the reciprocal tariffs are already in effect, with no time allowed for a smooth transition. Even goods currently en route to the US will be subject to the new tariffs, raising the critical question, who will bear the cost?” said Zahid Hussain, a former lead economist of the World Bank’s Dhaka office.

Bangladesh’s strategy should aim to shift the tariff burden onto buyers, according to Hussain. “A key advantage is that buyers have limited alternatives, as many of our competitors face similar or even higher reciprocal tariffs. However, fierce competition among [local] sellers poses a significant challenge, enabling wholesale buyers like Walmart and Target to pass the tariff costs onto us,” he said.

To counter this, it is crucial for sellers to collectively agree not to accept a reduction in prices to offset the tariff. The relevant association must closely monitor renegotiated prices and enforce penalties for non-compliance with this agreed position, Hussain said.

“Additionally, we should explore the possibility of qualifying our exports for duty exemptions by emphasizing their status as low-priced essential products.”

Analysts point out this escalation is part of broader regional trade realignment, as neighboring India and Pakistan also face reciprocal tariffs of 27% and 29%, respectively.

India’s export competitiveness would be less impacted than that of key rivals due to its position in the middle of the tariff rates, said the country’s industry bodies and the Federation of Indian Export Organizations.

The tariffs would remain in effect until Trump determined that the “threat posed by the trade deficit and underlying non-reciprocal treatment is satisfied, resolved, or mitigated,” the White House said.

Courtesy: The Bangladesh Chronicle

 

 

Pakistan: Navigating an Uncertain Global Order

The world is undergoing a profound shift toward protectionism and unpredictability. Global institutions are weakening, long-standing norms are eroding, and power dynamics are replacing cooperative frameworks. In this volatile environment, Pakistan must stay alert and prepare for the challenges ahead.

This transformation is already in motion. US President Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs signaled a move away from multilateralism. The shift toward unilateralism and economic nationalism has been ushered in. The rules-based global order, which once promoted free trade and transparency, is on the decline.

For decades, the US championed institutions like the WTO, enabling developing countries, including Pakistan, to engage in global trade under shared rules. Now, the rise of "reciprocal tariffs" and deal-making based on narrow self-interest marks a rejection of that system. In such an environment, even close allies are vulnerable.

This shift is especially alarming for countries like Pakistan. Larger powers may use economic tools or coercion to advance their agendas, sidelining smaller economies. A coordinated international backlash to protectionist policies is likely. While Pakistan may avoid retaliation, others might not, raising the specter of a global trade war.

Trade wars have historically led to severe economic disruptions. Pakistan, with low foreign exchange reserves and heavy reliance on institutions like the IMF, lacks the resilience to absorb such shocks. Unlike wealthier nations, it cannot offer major stimulus measures or safety nets.

Thus, Pakistani policymakers must proactively engage with global powers, diversify trade relationships, and strengthen internal governance. Strategic partnerships with like-minded nations and regional initiatives like CPEC are essential, but overreliance on any one partner is risky. A multi-vector foreign policy is key.

Domestically, political stability and unity are crucial. A fragmented leadership weakens Pakistan’s ability to respond to global shifts. The world order we knew is unlikely to return soon. Only countries that are agile, united, and forward-looking will succeed.

Pakistan must not be passive. With vigilance, decisive leadership, and strategic focus, it can navigate this turbulent global landscape and secure a stable future.