Month: October 2025
News
Divided Federal Reserve cuts US interest rates by 25 basis points
The US Federal Reserve has announced a 25-basis point cut to interest rates, reflecting growing concerns about economic stability and slowing growth. This decision, disclosed amid a divided stance within the Fed, is expected to impact global financial markets, borrowing costs, and investment strategies in the coming months.
Key Points :
- The Federal Reserve’s rate cut is aimed at supporting the economy in the face of mixed signals and ongoing global uncertainties.
- Analysts predict lower borrowing costs for businesses and consumers, potentially boosting investment and spending.
- Market response remains cautious, as the divided vote signals uncertainty about the future direction of US monetary policy.
- This move may have significant implications for economies worldwide; especially emerging markets closely tied to US financial flows.
For more details, read the full report:
Divided Federal Reserve cuts US interest rates by 25 basis points | The National
News
Rent Freeze in Riyadh: Perspectives on Its Impact on the Property Market
5-Year Rent Freeze – Preliminary Views
The announcement of a five-year rent freeze came as unanticipated news to most stakeholders operating in the Riyadh market.
Whilst residential tenants may breathe a sigh of relief, investors, developers, and commercial tenants are taking stock — assessing potential impacts on portfolios, projects, and businesses.
Although it is too early to form conclusions, as more details are expected to emerge in the days ahead, some potential property-level impacts can be inferred from the experiences of other geographies and prevailing market views:
Cap Rates: While an increase in yield expectations — and consequently lower valuations — is considered the most obvious impact given restrictions on rental growth, the effect will ultimately depend on asset-level dynamics. A declining interest rate environment may provide some cushion.
Build-to-Sell: Investors are likely to redirect capital toward residential build-to-sell opportunities, in tandem with the White Land Tax, thereby boosting supply, moderating price growth, and softening rents.
Shorter Leases: Landlords may adopt a preference for shorter-term leases, as tenant turnover captures market rental growth. Conversely, commercial tenants typically seek longer-term leases to enable better planning.
Asset Management: With top-line growth restricted, managing costs and introducing service charges may become necessary. Deferred maintenance could also emerge as a real risk.
While the rent freeze will help tenants reduce occupancy costs and reinvest capital into their core businesses — thereby boosting overall economic activity — some unintended consequences for landlords and developers will need to be closely monitored. Success is likely to be found in proactive asset management strategies and well-structured investment deals.