Kindly be informed that Ms. Marwa Abbas has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Raya Information Technology, a fully owned portfolio company of Raya Holding for Financial Investments, effective 1 July 2026.
Ms. Marwa Abbas brings over 30 years of professional experience in the information technology sector. Throughout her career, she held several senior leadership positions at IBM across Egypt, the Middle East, and Africa, most recently serving as General Manager and Technology Leader for IBM Egypt and North East Africa.
This appointment comes as part of the Raya Group's strategy to support its growth plans and further strengthen Raya Information Technology's regional expansion, while reinforcing its position in the technology and digital transformation sectors.
Mr. Hisham Abdel Rasoul will continue to support Raya Information Technology during a transition period extending
through the end of December 2026.

Trading Economics-


The FTSE 100 rose slightly on Tuesday, securing its sixth consecutive quarterly gain with an over 3% rise in Q2 following a 2.5% climb in Q1, marking the index's strongest performance streak since 2022. Market momentum was led by a rally in aerospace and defense shares, with Rolls-Royce climbing 2.1% and BAE Systems adding 2%. Heightened geopolitical optimism and improving base metal values similarly lifted mining stocks like Rio Tinto and Glencore. Financial institutions provided solid support as Lloyds Banking jumped 2.1% alongside steady gains for HSBC, Barclays, and NatWest, while J Sainsbury rose 1.3% on heatwave driven food sales. Conversely, heavyweights AstraZeneca, Unilever, and BP all dropped over 1%, and British American Tobacco fell 0.9%. On the macroeconomic front, the UK’s annualized first quarter GDP growth was scaled back to 0.9%, while quarterly growth matched projections at 0.6% and shop inflation held flat at 1.2%.

Trading Economics-


European stock indices closed at record highs on Tuesday after evidence of softer inflation supported an outlook of lower interest rates for the corporate sector. The Euro STOXX 50 gained 1.5% to 6,326 and the STOXX 50 added 0.9% to 642, both at record-high closes. Preliminary inflation prints were lower than expected in Germany, France, and Italy in June to build expectations that the inflationary surge from the war in the Middle East has topped. Rate traders piled on positions that reflected no more rate hikes by the ECB this year, lowering sovereign yields and supporting the outlook for credit activity. UniCredit, BNP Paribas, and ING jumped close to 2%. Meanwhile, Siemens and Siemens Energy surged 4.4% and 5.4%, respectively, on improved data center outlooks submitted by brokers. On top of that, the rally for global chip producers was extended, lifting ASML by 7%. Outside the STOXX 50, Abivax surged 40% on optimistic signs in its obefazimod drug study.

Trading Economics-


US stock indexes closed higher on Tuesday, supported by strength in the technology sector and easing inflation risks. The S&P 500 gained 0.8%, while the Nasdaq 100 rose 1.7%, and the Dow Jones added 136 points to close at a record high of 52,319. Chipmakers extended their rebound as investors looked past recent concerns over stretched AI-related valuations, encouraged by strong guidance from semiconductor producers despite elevated hyperscaler spending. Nvidia gained 2.6%, AMD rose 7.7%, and Intel advanced 6%. Meanwhile, oil prices remained near pre-conflict levels, easing concerns that the Federal Reserve could be forced into a hiking cycle. The softer inflation backdrop also supported traditional sectors, helping the Dow outperform broader benchmarks in June. Considering Q2, the S&P rose more than 14% and the Nasdaq surged about 20%, their strongest quarterly performances since Q2 2020. The Dow gained more than 12%, its best quarterly performance since Q4 2022.

Trading Economics-


The S&P/TSX Composite Index inched up 0.1% to close at 34,857 on Tuesday as investors assessed GDP data and developments in the Middle East. Canada’s economy rebounded more than expected in April after a mild contraction in March, while an advance estimate pointed to a further 0.1% monthly expansion in May, signaling that growth may be stabilizing. The data improved the outlook for corporate earnings and eased concerns over a deeper tariff-driven slowdown. Meanwhile, Oil prices remained below recent highs, helping ease inflation concerns. Financial stocks advanced, with RBC up 1% and TD Bank gaining 0.8%. Mining stocks were mixed as gold prices fluctuated, with Agnico Eagle Mines rising 0.9% and Barrick slipping 0.6%. In tech, Celestica jumped 6.1%, tracking Wall Street’s rally.

Trading Economics-


The Ibovespa fell 0.7% to close at 172,024 on Tuesday as investors reduced risk at the end of the first half and assessed weaker fiscal and labor market data. Gross public debt rose above forecasts in May, while primary deficit was wider-than-expected. Gross debt reached 81.1% of GDP, above market expectations of 80.7%, the primary deficit totaled R$56.1 billion, exceeding forecasts of a R$53.5 billion shortfall. The deterioration in fiscal accounts reinforced concerns over higher borrowing costs and persistent pressure on interest rates. Meanwhile, formal job creation also missed expectations, with around 73,000 new positions created in May, below forecasts of 115,000. Losses were broad-based across the index. In the banking sector, Banco do Brasil fell 1.7% and Itaú lost 0.5%. Utilities also traded mostly lower, with Axia down 1.3%. Petrobras dropped 0.9% as oil prices tumbled to their lowest levels since 2020, while Braskem shed 4.3% after being downgraded by JPMorgan and Citi.

Trading Economics-


The RatingDog China Manufacturing PMI inched down to a three-month low of 51.7 in June 2026 from 51.8 in May, but above forecasts of 51.6. It also remained above the long-run survey trend of 50.8 since 2004, and caps off the strongest quarter since late 2020. Output grew solidly, while new orders rose for the thirteenth straight month, matching the joint-longest expansion sequence since 2018. However, foreign sales fell for the second straight month. Meanwhile, employment climbed for the first time in three months, with job creation reaching its strongest level since August 2023. Delivery times lengthened only marginally, marking the weakest deterioration in the current four-month sequence. On prices, input price inflation eased from April's four-year high to its weakest level since January. Meanwhile, output price inflation edged up, extending its increase to a sixth consecutive month, the longest such sequence since 2021. Finally, sentiment weakened to a five-month low.

Trading Economics-


The benchmark KOSPI slipped 2.04% to close at 8,303 on Wednesday, reversing gains from the previous session, as persistent foreign selling continued to weigh on sentiment. The sell-off came as the Korean won remained near a 17-year low against the US dollar and overseas investors continued to reduce exposure to local equities. Chipmakers and other large-cap technology names came under pressure after an extended AI-driven rally, with investors locking in gains following another strong quarter for global semiconductor stocks. Losses were also recorded in Samsung Electronics (-4.87%), SK Hynix (-2.75%), LG Energy Solution (-3.87%), Hyundai Motor (-1.97%), and SK Inc. (-8.87%). Meanwhile, South Korea’s exports surpassed $100 billion for the first time in June, driven by a near tripling in semiconductor shipments and strong AI-related demand for memory chips and server equipment, helping limit the market's losses.

Trading Economics-


The Shanghai Composite rose 0.44% to close at 4,112 on Wednesday, while the Shenzhen Component slipped 0.53% to 16,119, as concerns over uneven economic growth weighed on market sentiment. Goldman Sachs said discussions with Chinese investors revealed increasing caution over the country's near-term growth outlook, citing a more uneven recovery marked by weak consumer confidence, labor market pressures, and the ongoing property downturn. Meanwhile, President Xi Jinping pledged to steadily promote "high-quality development," emphasizing sustainable, innovation-driven growth. On the economic front, a private survey showed China's Manufacturing PMI eased to a three-month low of 51.7 in June from 51.8 in May. Notable gainers included China Merchants Bank (1.15%), China Life Insurance (9.7%), and Ping An Insurance (3.75%). In contrast, Sungrow Power Supply slumped 13.9% amid reports that US regulators are preparing restrictions on its imports over perceived national security concerns.

Trading Economics-


The NZX 50 fell 11 points, or 0.1%, to close at 13,611 on Wednesday, erasing gains from the previous session, mainly weighed down by losses in consumer staples, materials, utilities, and healthcare. The broader index retreated from its highest level since February 27, reached a day earlier, tracking a decline in US stock futures. Traders awaited the release of New Zealand's consumer data for May, due later this week. However, gains in consumer discretionary, industrial, and technology stocks helped limit the decline. Easing oil prices also capped the losses as inflation concerns subsided, reducing expectations of an interest rate hike. Tuesday's data also helped limit the losses, as New Zealand's business confidence surged to its highest level since February. Among the biggest laggards were ANZ Group (-3.3%), Meridian Energy (-2.1%), Westpac Banking Corp. (-2.4%), Fletcher Building (-3.2%), A2 Milk (-1.9%), Chorus (-1.3%), and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare (-1.2%).

Trading Economics-


Australia's ASX 200 dipped 56 points or 0.6% to finish at 8,723 on Wednesday, the first day of the new financial year. Markets extended declines from the day before amid a sharp drop in U.S. stock futures following strong gains on Wall Street during H1 of 2026, supported by a continued surge in chip stocks. Caution lingered ahead of May trade data, due Thursday, after April exports outpaced imports to deliver a modest surplus. Meanwhile, building permits dropped for a third month in May, marking the fourth contraction this year. In its June meeting minutes, the central bank signalled further tightening remains possible after three hikes since January, citing rising Q2 cost pressures. Most sectors fell, led by commercial services, financials, logistics, and consumer names. The big four banks lost 1.5%–2.5%, while Greatland Resources (-4.7%), Coles Group (-4.2%), and Xero (-2.8%) slipped. In contrast, South32 surged 9.7% after agreeing to sell most of its aluminium assets to Alcoa.

Trading Economics-


India’s BSE Sensex closed about 0.6% firmer at 76,923 on Wednesday, snapping a two-session losing streak, led by gains in autos. Meanwhile, investors tracked developments in the Middle East and domestic data, while awaiting Fed Chair remarks later in the day. Final data showed India's manufacturing sector continued to expand in June, but the pace of growth slowed to its second-weakest level since mid-2022. Maruti and Mahindra & Mahindra were among the top performers, rising 2.1% and 1.9%, respectively, after reporting solid sales numbers. Financials and fast-moving consumer goods also advanced firmly, outweighing weakness in tech and metal stocks. Eternal, Asian Paints, Hindustan Unilever, Adani Ports, and State Bank of India saw gains between 2% and 5.7%. Conversely, HCL Tech (-3.5%), Tech Mahindra (-3.1%), Tata Consultancy Services (-2.6%), Tata Steel (-1.6%) and Infosys (-1.5%) posted the biggest losses.

Trading Economics-


US equity indices trimmed their sharp gains from this week as markets continued to gauge risks of a Fed rate hike this year and how much room is left in the AI trade. The S&P 500 dropped 0.6%, the Nasdaq fell 1.5%, and the Dow decreased 250 points from its record high. Chip producers dropped after leading the rally for global stock markets, reigniting the AI trade despite lingering warnings that the sector is overleveraged. Micron and Sandisk sank 8%, while Nvidia lost 3%. Hyperscalers making up the Magnificent 7 extended their rebound after sharply underperforming AI infrastructure companies since mid-May, with Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet trading higher. Also, Meta soared 8% after announcing plans to develop a cloud infrastructure business with access to AI computing power and models. On the earnings front, Nike was 3% down as it flagged a cautious outlook due to consumer anxiety.

(BNA)-


Bahrain All Share Index closed at 2,040.01 points, marking a decrease of 2.55 points below the previous closing.

This decrease was due to the drop in the communications services and materials sectors.

Bahrain Islamic Index closed at 965.72 points, marking a decrease of 2.05 points below the previous closing.

Results indicated that 81 equity transactions took place with a volume of 813,025 shares worth BHD 308,744.

Investors traded mainly in the materials sector, representing 47.62% of the total value of securities traded.

SPA-

The Kuwait Stock Exchange closed trading today with its general index down 1.81 points, or 0.02%, to reach 8704.52 points. Trading volume reached 281.4 million shares across 21,708 cash transactions, with a total value of 81.2 million Kuwaiti dinars (approximately US$249.2 million).

The main market index fell 88.11 points, or 0.97%, to 8973.29 points, with 157.5 million shares traded across 11,581 cash transactions, valued at 34.8 million dinars.

The premier market index rose 16.44 points, or 0.18%, to 9099.22 points, with 123.9 million shares traded across 10,127 transactions, valued at 46.3 million dinars. The (Main 50) index rose by 10,036 points, a percentage of 1.02%, to reach a level of 9,920.73 points, through the trading of 132.2 million shares through 9,131 cash transactions worth 30.4 million dinars.