分类： business

Emirates Airline has announced a groundbreaking initiative to provide free Starlink WiFi across its entire fleet, marking a significant leap in inflight connectivity. The rollout will begin in November 2025 with Boeing 777 aircraft and is expected to be completed by mid-2027. The service will be available to all passengers, regardless of cabin class, with no additional fees or Skywards membership required. The first aircraft equipped with Starlink, a Boeing 777-300ER (A6-EPF), is currently on display at the Dubai Airshow, where visitors can experience the high-speed internet firsthand. The first commercial flight featuring Starlink will depart immediately after the Airshow. Emirates plans to install the technology on approximately 14 aircraft per month, with the Airbus A380 fleet scheduled for upgrades starting in February 2026. This initiative underscores Emirates’ commitment to delivering industry-leading inflight experiences, allowing passengers to stream, game, work, and stay connected seamlessly at cruising altitude. The airline’s partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink aligns with its broader fleet refurbishment program, which includes new Premium Economy cabins, enhanced Business Class, and upgraded entertainment systems. Emirates President Sir Tim Clark emphasized that this move reflects the airline’s dedication to redefining air travel. Other regional carriers, such as Qatar Airways and Saudi airlines, have also adopted Starlink, further solidifying its position as a game-changer in aviation connectivity.

Silver, often dubbed ‘poor man’s gold,’ has proven to be a lucrative investment in 2025, surging over 70% in the past year. Trading at approximately $51 per ounce in the London spot market, it remains a key player in both jewelry and industrial sectors, particularly in the production of electric vehicles, electronics, solar panels, and medical devices. The metal’s ascent has been fueled by increased ETF flows, though it remains vulnerable to price corrections. Analysts predict a robust upward trajectory, with prices potentially averaging $57 per ounce by the fourth quarter of 2026. The U.S. government’s recent classification of silver as a critical mineral has sparked speculation about tariffs, though the market remains resilient. Despite a projected 11% decline in demand next year, Bank of America forecasts silver could reach $65 per ounce by 2026. The metal’s value has also been bolstered by a weak U.S. dollar and ongoing supply deficits. Experts anticipate continued volatility, driven by industrial demand and investor behavior.

In a significant policy shift, the US administration has announced the removal of tariffs on over 200 food products, including essential items like coffee, beef, bananas, and orange juice. This decision comes as American consumers grapple with escalating grocery prices, which have fueled widespread discontent. The move represents a notable departure from President Donald Trump’s earlier stance, where he maintained that the tariffs imposed earlier this year were not contributing to inflation. The executive order, released on Friday, modifies the scope of reciprocal tariffs initially announced on April 2 and took immediate effect. Duties already collected will be refunded. Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One, acknowledged that tariffs might ‘in some cases’ raise prices but reiterated his belief that the US has ‘virtually no inflation.’ He also revealed plans to distribute a $2,000 payment to lower- and middle-income citizens next year, funded by tariff revenues. The list of exempted products includes everyday staples that have seen double-digit price increases, such as oranges, cocoa, and fertilizers. Critics, including US Representative Don Beyer, argue that the administration is finally acknowledging the inflationary impact of its trade policies. Despite the tariff rollback, consumers remain frustrated by high grocery prices, which economists attribute partly to import duties. Richard Neal, the top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee, criticized the move as ‘putting out a fire that they started.’ The US Consumer Price Index for September 2025 showed a 3% year-over-year increase, with beef and coffee prices surging by 14.7% and 18.9%, respectively. While some industry groups have praised the exemptions, the broader economic implications of the tariff reversal remain a contentious issue.

In the face of ongoing global market uncertainty and heightened geopolitical risks, fixed income investments are increasingly becoming a cornerstone in the portfolios of UAE investors. Kareena Moledina, Lead for Fixed Income Client Portfolio Management (EMEA) at Janus Henderson Investors, recently shared her insights with Khaleej Times on the growing relevance of bonds in the region’s investment strategy.

Moledina highlighted three primary benefits of fixed income investments: steady income, capital preservation, and diversification. With yields currently at attractive levels, investors can secure reliable, tax-free cash flows without assuming excessive risk. This is particularly advantageous in the UAE, where many investors depend on consistent income to meet their financial obligations.

Beyond income generation, bonds act as a defensive anchor in portfolios that are heavily weighted towards equities and real estate. ‘When markets become volatile, fixed income helps preserve capital,’ Moledina explained. ‘It serves as a stabilizing force, especially in economies like the UAE’s, where exposure to property and energy is significant.’

Moledina also emphasized how bonds complement traditional asset classes in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which are typically cyclical and sensitive to economic downturns. Unlike equities and real estate, which often decline together during slowdowns, bonds tend to rise when central banks cut interest rates. This inverse relationship helps smooth portfolio performance and reduce overall volatility.

Liquidity is another key advantage of fixed income investments. While real estate transactions can be slow and costly, and equities volatile, high-quality bonds offer quick access to cash. ‘Fixed income plays a key role in the liquidity waterfall of a portfolio,’ Moledina noted, referring to the hierarchy of assets investors can tap into when needed.

In a dollar-pegged economy like the UAE’s, the current ‘higher-for-longer’ interest rate environment presents both opportunities and challenges. On the upside, yields are significantly more attractive than during the ultra-low-rate era, allowing income-seeking investors to earn meaningful returns from high-quality bonds. However, Moledina cautioned that portfolio construction is now more critical than ever.

‘Investors should focus on shorter-duration, higher-quality assets to mitigate downside risks,’ she advised. Floating-rate securities, such as collateralised loan obligations (CLOs), are gaining popularity for their ability to adjust income streams in line with interest rate movements, offering a natural hedge against volatility.

Risk management remains central to fixed income investing. Moledina outlined key risks including interest rate fluctuations, inflation, credit stress, and geopolitical shocks. ‘Detailed bottom-up research is essential,’ she said, emphasizing the importance of analysing cash flows, leverage, and refinancing profiles to identify resilient issuers.

Diversification across issuers, sectors, and geographies also helps protect portfolios from systemic shocks. ‘Quality, liquidity, and diversification are the pillars of capital preservation,’ she added.

Securitised credit, once a niche segment, is now gaining traction among investors seeking stable income and attractive valuations. With spreads in traditional corporate bonds tightening, securitised assets offer a compelling alternative. ‘They provide a spread pick-up of 40 to 50 basis points over investment-grade corporates while maintaining higher credit quality,’ Moledina said.

Many of these instruments are floating-rate, making them well-suited to the current interest rate environment. Even if rates decline, securitised assets continue to deliver strong returns due to their underlying credit spreads.

Janus Henderson, a leading manager of securitised active ETFs, has played a pivotal role in enhancing liquidity and transparency in the fixed income space. ‘Our scale allows us to offer efficient execution and clear pricing visibility, especially in securitised credit,’ Moledina said.

As UAE investors seek to build resilient portfolios amid global uncertainty, fixed income is proving to be a powerful tool—offering stability, income, and flexibility in a rapidly changing financial landscape.