标签： Africa

Wall Street’s major indices experienced gains on Monday, driven by optimism surrounding the potential end of the U.S. government shutdown. The shutdown, now the longest in history, has disrupted economic data releases and heightened concerns about the economy’s health. On Sunday, senators advanced a House-passed bill in a procedural vote, aiming to fund the government until January 30. If approved by the Senate and signed by President Donald Trump, the bill could mark a significant step toward resolving the impasse.

Chris Zaccarelli, Chief Information Officer at Northlight Asset Management, noted, ‘The prolonged shutdown exceeded expectations, raising fears about economic stability and potential flight cancellations, which could have broader economic repercussions.’ This sentiment contributed to last week’s bearish outlook on the tech sector, though most tech stocks rebounded on Monday. Nvidia surged 3.4%, while Alphabet and Meta Platforms rose 2.5% and 1.5%, respectively. Information technology and consumer discretionary sectors were the primary drivers of the S&P 500’s 0.71% gain.

However, Home Depot’s nearly 2% decline weighed on the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which edged up just 0.02%. The Nasdaq Composite outperformed, climbing 1.35%, buoyed by a 2.1% rise in the semiconductor index. Meanwhile, airlines faced pressure due to government-directed flight cuts and staffing shortages, with United Airlines and American Airlines both dropping over 1%.

The CBOE volatility index retreated from a three-week high, easing 0.8 points to 18.26. On betting platform Polymarket, the likelihood of the shutdown ending this week stood at 85%. The prolonged shutdown has left the Federal Reserve and markets reliant on private data, which has painted a mixed picture of the economy. Some Fed officials reiterated caution ahead of the central bank’s next meeting, while Fed Governor Stephen Miran advocated for a significant rate cut.

Despite optimism around artificial intelligence fueling a bull run in U.S. stocks this year, concerns about monetization and circular spending led to a tech selloff last week, marking the Nasdaq’s worst performance in over seven months. The third-quarter earnings season neared its conclusion, with 83% of the 446 S&P 500 companies reporting better-than-expected results, according to LSEG data.

Health insurers faced declines after the Senate’s deal to end the shutdown excluded an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies, deferring the issue to a December vote. Centene led the losses, plummeting 8.5%, while Humana and Elevance Health each fell about 4%. In contrast, Eli Lilly shares hit an intraday record high, rising 4.9% following an upgrade by Leerink Partners.

Advancing issues outnumbered decliners on both the NYSE and Nasdaq, with the S&P 500 recording 20 new 52-week highs and seven new lows, and the Nasdaq Composite posting 75 new highs and 92 new lows.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has successfully concluded a series of investment agreements with Chad, potentially exceeding $6.2 billion, as announced by UAE Foreign Trade Minister Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi during the two-day UAE-Chad Trade and Investment Forum in Abu Dhabi. The event, which saw the participation of numerous entities and companies from Chad, resulted in approximately 40 deals aimed at fostering economic growth and stability in the central African nation. Chad officials also utilized the forum to unveil a national development plan targeting $30 billion in investments. The UAE has been a significant investor in Africa, with over $110 billion committed between 2019 and 2023, making it the largest backer of new projects on the continent. Additionally, a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the UAE and Chad is expected to be finalized by the end of the year, following a 32 percent increase in non-oil trade to $1.9 billion in the previous year. The forum comes amid concerns over an influx of Sudanese refugees into Chad due to ongoing conflict in the region.

The Middle East’s residential property management sector is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the integration of smart facility management (FM) technologies and a growing emphasis on sustainability. Owners’ associations, particularly in the UAE, are increasingly adopting data-driven solutions to streamline operations, control service charges, and enhance property value. This shift is fueled by rising resident expectations, regulatory pressures, and the need for cost efficiency. The transition from reactive maintenance to predictive management is gaining traction across the region, with digital platforms and energy optimization strategies becoming central to FM operations. A 2024 Frost & Sullivan report projects the GCC FM market to reach $71 billion by 2026, with residential services playing a significant role due to urban expansion and smart city initiatives. Engie Solutions, a leading player in the region’s FM landscape, is at the forefront of this evolution. The company’s Smart O&M platform, a cloud-based solution powered by AI, enables real-time monitoring of assets such as HVAC systems and elevators. This proactive approach not only reduces emergency callouts but also delivers energy savings of 5–15%. A notable example is Engie’s work on the DMCC Uptown Tower in Dubai, where the company achieved a 10% reduction in energy consumption while supporting LEED Gold certification. Engie’s energy management programs, which include occupancy-based HVAC optimization and automated controls, help residential owners’ associations reduce utility expenses and lower service charges. With over 3,000 employees in the region and global expertise from 30 countries, Engie is uniquely positioned to address both international standards and local market needs. Graham Easton, Managing Director of Engie Solutions IFM GCC, emphasizes that digital transformation and sustainability are essential for the future of property management. “Properties with strong environmental credentials will command premium values,” he states, highlighting the importance of optimizing performance and enhancing asset value.