Trading in Chicago’s Post

SFC top executives visit Saudi Arabia and UAE to foster financial services collaboration The Securities and Futures Commission's (SFC) Chief Executive Officer, Ms Julia Leung, and its Executive Director of Investment Products, Ms Christina Choi, will visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – the first official visit to the Middle East by the SFC's top management. The aims of the visit are to strengthen collaboration in financial services between Hong Kong SAR and the two key partners under the Mainland's Belt and Road Initiative and to promote mutual market developments particularly by leveraging Hong Kong's status as an international asset and wealth management hub and global fundraising centre. Ms Leung and Ms Choi will arrive in Abu Dhabi today and also visit Dubai and Riyadh before returning to Hong Kong on 3 June. During the visit, they will meet with top executives of local financial regulators and stock exchange, as well as financial industry stakeholders, to exchange views on the latest regulatory trends and market developments. They will also participate in roundtable discussions in Dubai and Riyadh with senior executives of major local asset managers and leading financial institutions. Speaking ahead of the visit, Ms Leung said: “With Hong Kong and the Middle East pro-actively forging closer ties, our well-timed visit would lay a solid foundation for fostering sustained two-way investment flows between financial markets in Hong Kong and both countries.” #SaudiArabia #wealthmanagement #SFC #UAE #BRI #fundraising

We spoke to Ali Khalpey, head of equity capital markets at EFG-Hermes, about the key factors shaping the equity capital markets in the region. Read the full article https://lnkd.in/dknfXfxG #Marketing #digitalmarketing #Marketingdigital #Marketingtips #gulfbusiness

Find out 'What's the best way to grow your wealth' with findings from Swissquote Bank Europe's 2024 Luxembourg Wealth Survey. 1,641 Luxembourg residents took part this year! Discover unique insights into Luxembourg wealth and investment trends. 📥 Download the report here: https://lnkd.in/eyPcBdG8

🌍 ADFW 2024: Shaping the Future of Global Finance Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) 2024, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will take place from 9th to 12th December. The event, featuring over 60 events, 350+ sessions, and 600+ speakers, explores Abu Dhabi’s role as the ‘Capital of Capital’. Key Highlights: - AI Impact & Regulation, Private Markets Evolution, and Climate Finance dominate discussions. - Notable forums: Abu Dhabi Economic Forum, Asset Abu Dhabi, Fintech Abu Dhabi, and ADSFF. - New events include the UBS Investment Forum, the China-UAE Investment Summit, and the Islamic Finance Summit. The agenda features global leaders like Jeremy Allaire, and Carme Artigas Brugal. ADFW is set to foster innovation and collaboration, driving Abu Dhabi’s position as a global financial hub. https://lnkd.in/dWXtTw7T #Finance #AI #Sustainability #GlobalEconomy #AbuDhabi

Our annual assessment of Investor Relations & Debt Transparency practices explores IR practices across 50 emerging markets. We see encouraging improvements at the regional level. We find that countries with strong IR practices tend to have robust sovereign credit ratings and greater capital flows. Our assessment also provides general recommendations and key strengths and areas of improvement at the country level. Read the report here 👇🏻 https://lnkd.in/ee7uU7YD Emre Tiftik Khadija Mahmood Adekunle Adedeji Raymond Aycock Sonja Gibbs, CFA Clay Lowery

2024 Mid-Year M&A Insights: The Middle East stands out with a resilient 214 deals in the first half of the year. While global M&A activity has faced a downturn, the region continues to thrive, driven by government reforms, Sovereign Wealth Funds, and diversification efforts. 📊 Explore the full mid-year M&A trends in our Transact mid-year report: https://pwc.to/3MJJphQ  #TransAct #Valuecreation @PwC Middle East

There is a continuing trend and desire of governments around the world to scrutinize and intervene in transactions involving foreign direct investment (FDI). We are excited to share our new report focused on major jurisdictions which screen FDI. Our analysis covers mandatory pre-closing filings, intervention rates, in-depth "Phase 2" reviews, risks for M&A transactions and investments, top countries for origin of investment, and key sectors impacted by FDI reviews. #FDI #ForeignInvestment #MergersAndAcquisitions #CrossBorder #CFIUS #NSI

📉 The CFA Institute's new report calls for better governance in Europe's €15.9 trillion private markets, highlighting the need for transparency in fees and valuation. Enhanced disclosure could boost investor confidence and ensure fairer practices. #PrivateMarkets #Finance

In 2024, caution has been the prevailing theme for many dealmakers worldwide. Although the market has recovered from its late-2023 lows, a strong resurgence in M&A activity has yet to materialize as companies navigate complex political and macroeconomic landscapes. "Dealmaking in Africa has stabilized in 2024, ending the downward trend that followed the post-pandemic peak in 2021. Larger-than-usual deals are the primary drivers of this stabilization, even as deal volume remains significantly below historical levels." "During the first nine months of 2024, the total value of deals in Africa rose by 36% compared with the same period in 2023, outpacing the global increase of 10%. However, the number of deals on the continent held steady year over year, compared with the global reduction of 13%. Together, these figures point to a significant rise this year in the average deal size across Africa." https://lnkd.in/dWX7Jf_V #leadership #strategy #finance #leveragedfinance Nedbank

Finance Trends in EU and MENA Regions for 2024 As we look toward the close of 2024, finance trends in Europe and the MENA region reveal a climate of caution, adaptation, and opportunity: Economic Outlook The MENA region is expected to grow by a modest 2.2% in 2024 due to economic uncertainty and the impact of ongoing conflicts. This subdued growth forecast contrasts with a strong surge in M&A activity, with 321 deals valued at over $49 billion in H1 2024. UAE and KSA lead in deal volume and value, particularly through cross-border transactions, which make up a substantial 87% of deal value. Investor Strategy Shifts In response to high interest rates, MENA investors are moving toward safer asset classes like bonds and cash. However, US equities still form the backbone of most portfolios. Investment in tech and defense sectors is increasing, partly due to ongoing geopolitical tensions that highlight the need for resilient and diversified assets. Trends in European Investments In Europe, the drive for sustainable and digital finance persists, though industrial investments are slowing. As regulatory and compliance requirements grow, firms are more cautious with new initiatives. Across both regions, the current financial landscape is one of strategic growth and diversification. Investors are focusing on sustainability, tech, and M&A as they navigate the challenges and opportunities 2024 has presented. #FinanceTrends #EuropeanEconomy #MENA