The US interest rate cut on Wednesday means lower borrowing costs, more disposable income and a boost to spending across the US dollar-pegged economies in the Gulf and the Middle East.
Sectors such as property, construction, retail, automotive, tourism and hospitality are expected to benefit, as consumer confidence and discretionary spending improve, analysts say.
However, the scale of the trickledown effect from the rate cuts will vary, depending on fiscal buffers and the fundamental strength of respective economies in the region.
“For consumers, a rate cut recalibrates financial behaviour by altering incentives for saving and spending,” Daniel Takieddine, co-founder and chief executive of Sky Links Capital Group, said.
“With returns on savings accounts diminished, the impetus to save weakens, while lower borrowing costs for mortgages, auto loans and personal credit make spending more attractive.”
The shift is expected to drive consumption and boost spending, especially on big-ticket items such as cars and homes and will also improve consumer sentiment.
“Feeling more optimistic about the economy and their personal finances, households are more likely to increase discretionary spending,” Mr Takieddine added.
“For those with existing variable-The US Federal Reserve entering a new cycle of interest rate cuts has direct implications for most Gulf economies as well as for Jordan whose currencies are tied to the US dollar. Their central banks typically mirror the Fed’s moves in their monetary policy stance.
The Fed cut US interest rates by 25 basis points on Wednesday amid concerns over the strength of the labour market in the world’s largest economy. The rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee has lowered the benchmark rate to a range of 4 per cent to 4.25 per cent.
The Fed’s quarter-point rate cut, the first since President Donald Trump resumed office in January, was widely expected by markets, traders and investors.
The UAE Central Bank, which follows Fed decisions, also reduced rates by 25 basis points after the announcement. The banking regulator said it would cut the base rate applied to its overnight deposit window by 25 basis points to 4.15 per cent, from 4.40, effective from Thursday.
Analysts say lower interest rates tend to stimulate economic activity, as consumers and companies can borrow at lower rates for purchases and investment, which drives consumption and economic growth.
New forecasts released by the Fed showed the central bank projects to cut rates by another 50 basis points this year, which would lower the federal funds rate to about 3.6 per cent in December.
Upbeat consumer sentiment
A drop in policy rates in the Gulf is a boon for consumers whose credit card debt and personal loans would carry lower interest.
Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial, said it will not only free up cash but it also means cheaper mortgage rates, which would encourage people to buy homes.
Demand for residential and commercial properties is set to increase, which is a good sign for the property market, said Shivam Dubey, associate partner of mortgage advisory at Youae Mortgages.
The market could experience increased activity and the “heightened demand could support property prices and stimulate overall market growth”, he said.
Because lower interest rates may discourage traditional saving, some homeowners may invest in renovations that enhance their property’s value, he added.
For developers, lower global and regional borrowing costs reduce the financial burden of project financing and refinancing, according to a report by ValuStrat.
Cheaper debt makes it easier to service existing loans, fund new construction and explore redevelopment projects.
“Developers with strong balance sheets will be best positioned to take advantage of this environment, especially in prime locations where demand is resilient,” the report said. “However, while financing costs may ease, underlying fundamentals such as oversupply and demand shifts still determine project viability.”
The retail sector is expected to be the biggest beneficiary of a rate cut and subsequent rise in consumption as customer confidence grows.
Spending on durable goods, cars and luxury items is set to rise as lower loan servicing costs free up cash, Hamza Dweik, head of trading for Middle East and North Africa at Saxo Bank, said.
In Jordan, where household debt levels are more sensitive to interest rate changes, a Fed cut may offer “meaningful relief”, improve consumer sentiment and boost domestic consumption, he added.
Improved investment opportunities
Lower interest rates not only bring relief for households, they also ease financial pressure on governments and the corporate sector, analysts say.
The move will stimulate state investments, especially in non-oil sectors, and support governments’ fiscal expansion efforts.
For businesses in the Gulf, lower interest rates would help companies gain easier access to capital, potentially reigniting momentum in property and infrastructure development, Mr Dweik said.
Banks may record a “slight compression” in net interest margins but this may be offset by higher lending volumes and better asset quality, he added.
“Investment flows might shift away from fixed-income instruments towards equities and real estate, as lower rates reduce returns on traditional savings,” Mr Dweik added.
Deposit rates would also probably fall, encouraging people to explore alternative asset classes, including stocks and cryptocurrencies, he said.
‘Tailwind’ for Gulf economies
From a macroeconomic perspective, the rate cut is a positive development for the UAE as well its peers in the Gulf, according to analysts.
The strong gross domestic product and foreign reserves of the UAE, the Arab world’s second largest economy, mean the country has “ample capacity to absorb and transmit the benefits of easier financial conditions”, Mr Valecha said.
In the Gulf, central banks collectively hold more than $760 billion in foreign assets, providing substantial external buffers, which means lower policy rates can effectively reduce sovereign and corporate refinancing costs, and support diversification programmes such as Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAE’s industrial sector growth strategy, he added.
While Jordan will benefit from the rate cut, it faces fundamental constraints because of its high public debt ratio of nearly 117 per cent of GDP.
“Fiscal pressures and elevated debt servicing mean less room for government spending to complement monetary easing,” Mr Valecha said.
“Nonetheless, households and small businesses would benefit from lower borrowing costs on loans and mortgages, easing financial stress in an economy where private consumption makes up more than 80 per cent of GDP.”
Jordan will have “modest relief” compared to Gulf countries but that is still important for sustaining domestic demand.
“Overall, a Fed cut would act as a tailwind, lifting growth, confidence, and investment across the UAE and GCC, while offering Jordan a measure of relief against tighter fiscal realities,” Mr Valecha said.
Inflation growth in the region, particularly in the UAE, has also remained muted in past several quarters, which also encourages higher consumer spending.
Inflation in the UAE stood at 1.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2025 and the central bank has slightly revised down its inflation forecast for 2025 to 1.9 per cent from 2 per cent.
The CBUAE has also lowered its inflation estimate for 2026 to 1.9 per cent from 2.1 per cent.
“The inflation trend in the region has been benign, with interest rates higher than required,” Monica Malik, chief economist at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, said.
“As such, the expected rate cuts will be positive for sentiment, consumption activity and credit demand. The lower rates will also be welcome for the corporate segment,” she added.
The rate cut may help counteract “global disinflationary pressures and support domestic demand” without significantly stoking consumer prices in the Gulf region, Mr Dweik said.
“A weaker dollar, typically associated with Fed easing, might also support oil prices, benefiting GCC exporters,” he added. “However, volatility in energy markets remains a risk, especially as global demand patterns evolve.”
While the Fed rate cuts will have positive implications for the dollar-pegged economies of the region, it does raise questions about the syncing of business cycles in the US compared to the Gulf.
“Clearly fed cuts automatically translate into an easing of financial conditions in pegged economies, which is pro-growth and therefore good news for most sectors,” Farouk Soussa, Mena economist at Goldman Sachs, said.
“But it does raise questions of whether a one size fits all monetary policy is appropriate if business cycles in the GCC and the US are out of sync.”
An example of this is the housing sector, where valuations are rising steeply in the UAE, for example, and rents rising sharply in Saudi, he said.
“A cut in rates potentially inflates prices even more in these markets, which may not necessarily be welcome.”
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
More from Neighbourhood Watch:Killing of Qassem SuleimaniUAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsThe five pillars of IslamHow will Gen Alpha invest?
Mark Chahwan, co-founder and chief executive of robo-advisory firm Sarwa, forecasts that Generation Alpha (born between 2010 and 2024) will start investing in their teenage years and therefore benefit from compound interest.
“Technology and education should be the main drivers to make this happen, whether it’s investing in a few clicks or their schools/parents stepping up their personal finance education skills,” he adds.
Mr Chahwan says younger generations have a higher capacity to take on risk, but for some their appetite can be more cautious because they are investing for the first time. “Schools still do not teach personal finance and stock market investing, so a lot of the learning journey can feel daunting and intimidating,” he says.
He advises millennials to not always start with an aggressive portfolio even if they can afford to take risks. “We always advise to work your way up to your risk capacity, that way you experience volatility and get used to it. Given the higher risk capacity for the younger generations, stocks are a favourite,” says Mr Chahwan.
Highlighting the role technology has played in encouraging millennials and Gen Z to invest, he says: “They were often excluded, but with lower account minimums … a customer with $1,000 [Dh3,672] in their account has their money working for them just as hard as the portfolio of a high get-worth individual.”
Cricket World Cup League 2 Fixtures
Saturday March 5, UAE v Oman, ICC Academy (all matches start at 9.30am)
Sunday March 6, Oman v Namibia, ICC Academy
Tuesday March 8, UAE v Namibia, ICC Academy
Wednesday March 9, UAE v Oman, ICC Academy
Friday March 11, Oman v Namibia, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Saturday March 12, UAE v Namibia, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri, Muhammad Waseem, CP Rizwan, Vriitya Aravind, Asif Khan, Basil Hameed, Rohan Mustafa, Kashif Daud, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Karthik Meiyappan, Akif Raja, Rahul Bhatia
Killing of Qassem SuleimaniGifts exchanged
King Charles – replica of President Eisenhower Sword
Queen Camilla – Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
Donald Trump – hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
Melania Trump – personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
Mohammed bin Zayed MajlisThe five pillars of IslamMercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance: the specs
Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 plus rear-mounted electric motor
Power: 843hp at N/A rpm
Torque: 1470Nm N/A rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.6L/100km
On sale: October to December
Price: From Dh875,000 (estimate)
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
The five pillars of IslamResults:
2.15pm: Handicap (PA) Dh60,000 1,200m.
Winner: AZ Dhabyan, Adam McLean (jockey), Saleha Al Ghurair (trainer).
2.45pm: Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 1,200m.
Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Sam Hitchcott, Ibrahim Aseel.
3.15pm: Conditions (PA) Dh60,000 2,000m.
Winner: Hareer Al Reef, Gerald Avranche, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
3.45pm: Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 1,700m.
Winner: Kenz Al Reef, Gerald Avranche, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
4.15pm: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup (TB) Dh 200,000 1,700m.
Winner: Mystique Moon, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
4.45pm: The Crown Prince Of Sharjah Cup Prestige (PA) Dh200,000 1,200m.
Winner: ES Ajeeb, Sam Hitchcott, Ibrahim Aseel.
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Killing of Qassem SuleimaniUAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsMore on Quran memorisation:More on animal traffickingWhich products are to be taxed?
To be taxed:
Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
Not taxed
Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.
Products excluded from the ‘sweetened drink’ category would contain at least 75 per cent milk in a ready-to-drink form or as a milk substitute, baby formula, follow-up formula or baby food, beverages consumed for medicinal use and special dietary needs determined as per GCC Standardisation Organisation rules
If you go
The flights
There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.
The trip
Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.
The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.
RESULTS
Dubai Kahayla Classic – Group 1 (PA) $750,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
Winner: Deryan, Ioritz Mendizabal (jockey), Didier Guillemin (trainer).
Godolphin Mile – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
Dubai Gold Cup – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (Turf) 3,200m
Winner: Subjectivist, Joe Fanning, Mark Johnston
Al Quoz Sprint – Group 1 (TB) $1million (T) 1,200m
Winner: Extravagant Kid, Ryan Moore, Brendan Walsh
UAE Derby – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Rebel’s Romance, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
Dubai Golden Shaheen – Group 1 (TB) $1.5million (D) 1,200m
Winner: Zenden, Antonio Fresu, Carlos David
Dubai Turf – Group 1 (TB) $4million (T) 1,800m
Winner: Lord North, Frankie Dettori, John Gosden
Dubai Sheema Classic – Group 1 (TB) $5million (T) 2,410m
Winner: Mishriff, John Egan, John Gosden
Zayed Sustainability PrizeMore from Neighbourhood Watch:The years Ramadan fell in MayTop New Zealand cop on policing the virtual world
New Zealand police began closer scrutiny of social media and online communities after the attacks on two mosques in March, the country’s top officer said.
The killing of 51 people in Christchurch and wounding of more than 40 others shocked the world. Brenton Tarrant, a suspected white supremacist, was accused of the killings. His trial is ongoing and he denies the charges.
Mike Bush, commissioner of New Zealand Police, said officers looked closely at how they monitored social media in the wake of the tragedy to see if lessons could be learned.
“We decided that it was fit for purpose but we need to deepen it in terms of community relationships, extending them not only with the traditional community but the virtual one as well,” he told The National.
“We want to get ahead of attacks like we suffered in New Zealand so we have to challenge ourselves to be better.”
Tesalam Aleik
Abdullah Al Ruwaished
(Rotana)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
States of Passion by Nihad Sirees,
Pushkin Press
The%20specs%3A%20Taycan%20Turbo%20GT
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDual%20synchronous%20electric%20motors%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C108hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C340Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20automatic%20(front%20axle)%3B%20two-speed%20transmission%20(rear%20axle)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E488-560km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh928%2C400%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOrders%20open%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Red flags
Promises of high, fixed or ‘guaranteed’ returns.
Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions – this can make legal recovery difficult.
Hard-selling tactics – creating urgency, offering ‘exclusive’ deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsMore coverage from the Future ForumRead more about the coronavirusThe candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANIThe%20Kitchen
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EDaniel%20Kaluuya%2C%20Kibwe%20Tavares%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EKane%20Robinson%2C%20Jedaiah%20Bannerman%2C%20Hope%20Ikpoku%20Jnr%2C%20Fiona%20Marr%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Mohammed bin Zayed MajlisThe years Ramadan fell in MayICC Awards for 2021
MEN
Cricketer of the Year – Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)
T20 Cricketer of the Year – Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)
ODI Cricketer of the Year – Babar Azam (Pakistan)
Test Cricketer of the Year – Joe Root (England)
WOMEN
Cricketer of the Year – Smriti Mandhana (India)
ODI Cricketer of the Year – Lizelle Lee (South Africa)
T20 Cricketer of the Year – Tammy Beaumont (England)
J%20Street%20Polling%20Results
%3Cp%3E97%25%20of%20Jewish-Americans%20are%20concerned%20about%20the%20rise%20in%20anti-Semitism%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E76%25%20of%20US%20Jewish%20voters%20believe%20Donald%20Trump%20and%20his%20allies%20in%20the%20Republican%20Party%20are%20responsible%20for%20a%20rise%20in%20anti-Semitism%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E74%25%20of%20American%20Jews%20agreed%20that%20%E2%80%9CTrump%20and%20the%20Maga%20movement%20are%20a%20threat%20to%20Jews%20in%20America%22%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Mohammed bin Zayed MajlisBuy farm-fresh food
The UAE is stepping up its game when it comes to platforms for local farms to show off and sell their produce.
In Dubai, visit Emirati Farmers Souq at The Pointe every Saturday from 8am to 2pm, which has produce from Al Ammar Farm, Omar Al Katri Farm, Hikarivege Vegetables, Rashed Farms and Al Khaleej Honey Trading, among others.
In Sharjah, the Aljada residential community will launch a new outdoor farmers’ market every Friday starting this weekend. Manbat will be held from 3pm to 8pm, and will host 30 farmers, local home-grown entrepreneurs and food stalls from the teams behind Badia Farms; Emirates Hydroponics Farms; Modern Organic Farm; Revolution Real; Astraea Farms; and Al Khaleej Food.
In Abu Dhabi, order farm produce from Food Crowd, an online grocery platform that supplies fresh and organic ingredients directly from farms such as Emirates Bio Farm, TFC, Armela Farms and mother company Al Dahra.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsThe five pillars of IslamMore from Rashmee Roshan LallWydad 2 Urawa 3
Wydad Nahiri 21’, Hajhouj 90′
Urawa Antonio 18’, 60’, Kashiwagi 26’
More on animal traffickingMoral education needed in a ‘rapidly changing world’
Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.
Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court – Abu Dhabi, said: “The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.
“Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.
“It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.
“The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation.”