13 Oct 2025

Ibstock has warned that its annual profit will fall below earlier projections due to sustained weakness in the UK construction market, causing shares to drop nearly 15%. The company's clay and concrete division reported lower revenues in the third quarter, and sales in the second half are expected to mirror first-half levels. With core profits anticipated to remain steady at 35.5 million pounds (USD 47.17 million) for the latter half, cautious customer behavior and economic uncertainty continue to limit growth. The sector is further affected by slow residential development and fiscal uncertainties.Read more

13 Oct 2025

Dubai's real estate market has maintained a strong upward trajectory, with the first nine months of this year showing substantial growth in both sales value and transaction volume. Total sales surged from AED104 billion in 2021 to AED499.1 billion, while deals rose from 43,200 to 158,400. Apartments, villas, plots, and commercial properties all saw notable gains in value and volume. Market experts note that property prices are increasing faster than the number of deals, reflecting robust investor confidence, market resilience, and the potential for long-term sustainable growth.Read more

13 Oct 2025

Russia's Central Bank has criticised the state for breaching minority shareholders' rights during recent asset seizures, signaling the first pushback from within the Russian elite against the government's nationalisation process. The issue centers on gold miner UGC, where the state failed to make a legally required buyout offer, affecting both retail and institutional investors. Experts warn that such actions could undermine private property rights, investor confidence, and future public listings. With roughly USD 50 billion in assets seized since the start of the Ukraine conflict, tensions between market-oriented technocrats and state authorities are becoming increasingly visible.Read more

13 Oct 2025

Britain's housing market has slowed for the third consecutive month, with buyer demand and agreed sales staying negative. Uncertainty over finance minister Rachel Reeves' upcoming budget is adding to cautious sentiment across both property and business sectors. Landlords are offering fewer rental properties due to higher costs and proposed tenant rights legislation, while rents are expected to rise by around 3% in the coming year. Surveys also show businesses facing growing tax pressures and weakening confidence, reflecting broader economic challenges as the UK prepares for the November budget.Read more

12 Oct 2025

UK Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch recently pledged to abolish the property purchase tax and implement a "golden rule" to reduce government borrowing through spending cuts. She proposed eliminating stamp duty on homes valued above GBP 125,000 (USD 167,500) while cutting GBP 47 billion annually from welfare, aid, and government workforce expenses. Half of the savings would reduce Britain's deficit, with the remainder directed to tax relief or spending. The proposals aim to boost economic activity, restore public trust in the Conservative Party, and signal a focus on fiscal responsibility and growth.Read more

12 Oct 2025

Azerbaijan's sovereign wealth fund SOFAZ is investing USD 67 million in London's Gatwick airport in partnership with U.S.-based Global Infrastructure Partners. Gatwick, the UK's second-busiest airport, serves over 40 million passengers annually. SOFAZ's CEO emphasized that the deal aligns with the fund's strategy of acquiring resilient and high-value assets. The move follows earlier European investments, including a 49% stake in Italian solar plants. With total assets of USD 66.5 billion, SOFAZ continues to expand its international portfolio with strategic infrastructure and sustainable investments.Read more

12 Oct 2025

Essar Energy Transition (EET) has expanded its retail operations in the UK through an agreement to supply fuel to 47 Harvest Energy (Dealerships) Ltd forecourts. Operating the Stanlow refinery in North-West England, EET, via its retail division EET Retail, will manage fuel delivery to these dealer-owned and operated forecourts. This move ensures continuity and resilience of supply following the closure of the Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery. The agreement aligns with EET Retail's strategy to grow its Essar-branded outlets and strengthen its national presence while enhancing customer convenience.Read more

12 Oct 2025

Vietnam's State Treasury raised USD 232 million in a recent government bond auction, with sales substantially higher than the previous week. Nearly half of the bonds on offer were sold, bringing total government bond issuance for the year to USD 9.67 billion, aimed at funding public investment projects. While short- and medium-term bonds saw strong demand, long-term bonds attracted limited interest. Corporate bond issuance also remains robust, with significant activity in September and notable upcoming maturities in the real estate and banking sectors, highlighting the country's active debt market.Read more

11 Oct 2025

LML Realty's upcoming Industrial Park in Haryana has received approval under the PADMA Scheme, positioning it as a major growth hub for MSMEs and startups aligned with the Make in India initiative. The park, strategically located with direct connectivity to key industrial corridors and IGI Airport, will provide plots starting at INR 75 lakh. With financial incentives exceeding INR 2 crore per unit including subsidies, tax exemptions, and collateral-free funding enterprises gain significant support. The project also features sector-neutral clusters, plug-and-play units, R&D facilities, and innovation assistance, fostering a comprehensive ecosystem for industrial growth.Read more

11 Oct 2025

Saint-Gobain has announced plans to invest about 12 billion euros (USD 14 billion) for business expansion through organic growth and acquisitions under its 2026-2030 strategy. The company will also allocate around 8 billion euros for shareholder returns, including dividends and share buybacks. It aims to grow its construction chemicals segment and expand in North America, Asia, and emerging markets, expecting these regions to contribute nearly 60% of sales in the long term. Financial targets include mid-single-digit sales growth and a core profit margin of 15-18%.Read more