Daily Market Brief

Egypt & Global Markets · Research Desk
Tuesday, 25 August 2026 · Hedge Research Desk
The Read
A broad risk-off sentiment swept through global markets as a steep sell-off in technology stocks and falling crude oil prices drove investors toward safe-haven bullion.
Strategy · Execution · Growth
S&P 5007,652.86-1.19%Dow Jones53,417.16-0.08%Nasdaq25,980.19-2.49%FTSE 10010,854.32+1.25%DAX26,106.60-0.88%CAC 408,453.01-0.66%Gold$4,690.00Brent$92.37USD/EGP50.77+0.55%EUR/USD1.1659+0.69%Fed3.50–3.75%S&P 5007,652.86-1.19%Dow Jones53,417.16-0.08%Nasdaq25,980.19-2.49%FTSE 10010,854.32+1.25%DAX26,106.60-0.88%CAC 408,453.01-0.66%Gold$4,690.00Brent$92.37USD/EGP50.77+0.55%EUR/USD1.1659+0.69%Fed3.50–3.75%
EGX 30
55,164.80
-0.34%
S&P 500
7,652.86
-1.19%
Gold
$4,690.00
USD / EGP
50.77
+0.55%
Brent
$92.37
01

5-Year Trend

The structural picture behind today’s tape — pick an indicator to see its five-year path.

USD / EGP · EGP
50.77
▲ +224% over 5y
12.5123.7635.0246.2757.52 2021-08-312021-09-302021-11-012021-12-012022-01-012022-02-012022-03-012022-03-312022-04-302022-05-312022-06-302022-07-312022-08-312022-09-302022-11-012022-12-012023-01-012023-02-012023-03-012023-03-312023-04-302023-05-312023-06-302023-07-312023-08-312023-09-302023-11-012023-12-012024-01-012024-02-012024-03-012024-03-312024-04-302024-05-312024-06-302024-07-312024-08-312024-09-302024-11-012024-12-012025-01-012025-02-012025-03-012025-03-312025-04-302025-05-312025-06-302025-07-312025-08-312025-09-302025-11-012025-12-012026-01-012026-02-012026-03-012026-03-312026-04-302026-05-312026-06-302026-07-312026-08-25 USD / EGP
S&P 500 · index
7,653
▲ +78% over 5y
3,2594,4445,6306,8168,001 2021-09-012021-10-012021-11-012021-12-012022-01-012022-02-012022-03-012022-04-012022-05-012022-06-012022-07-012022-08-012022-09-012022-10-012022-11-012022-12-012023-01-012023-02-012023-03-012023-04-012023-05-012023-06-012023-07-012023-08-012023-09-012023-10-012023-11-012023-12-012024-01-012024-02-012024-03-012024-04-012024-05-012024-06-012024-07-012024-08-012024-09-012024-10-012024-11-012024-12-012025-01-012025-02-012025-03-012025-04-012025-05-012025-06-012025-07-012025-08-012025-09-012025-10-012025-11-012025-12-012026-01-012026-02-012026-03-012026-04-012026-05-012026-06-012026-07-012026-08-012026-08-24 S&P 500
Gold · XAU/USD · $/oz
4,690
▲ +167% over 5y
1,3902,2823,1754,0684,960 2021-09-012021-10-012021-11-012021-12-012022-01-012022-02-012022-03-012022-04-012022-06-012022-07-012022-08-012022-09-012022-10-012022-11-012022-12-012023-02-012023-03-012023-04-012023-05-012023-06-012023-07-012023-08-012023-09-012023-11-012023-12-012024-01-012024-02-012024-03-012024-04-012024-05-012024-06-012024-07-012024-08-012024-10-012024-11-012025-01-012025-02-012025-03-012025-04-012025-05-012025-07-012025-08-012025-09-012025-10-012025-11-012025-12-012026-01-012026-04-012026-05-012026-06-012026-07-012026-08-012026-08-25 Gold · XAU/USD
02

Equities

Global Indiceslevels · latest change
IndexLevelChange
S&P 5007,652.86-1.19%
Dow Jones53,417.16-0.08%
Nasdaq25,980.19-2.49%
FTSE 10010,854.32+1.25%
DAX26,106.60-0.88%
CAC 408,453.01-0.66%
Nikkei 22565,822.87+0.76%
Hang Seng25,453.19-0.07%
Egypt & RegionEGX
IndexLevelChange
EGX 3055,164.80-0.34%
03

Rates & Central Banks

US · Federal Reserve
3.50–3.75%
Fed funds target — on hold.
Euro Area · ECB
2.25%
ECB deposit facility.
Global Benchmark Rateslatest levels
RateLevel
United States
Fed funds target on hold3.50–3.75%
SOFR (overnight)3.65%
Euro Area
ECB deposit facility2.25%
ECB main refinancing2.40%
ECB marginal lending2.65%
€STR2.19%
04

Currencies & Commodities

Currencieslatest
PairRateChange
USD / EGP50.77+0.55%
EUR / USD1.1659+0.69%
GBP / USD1.3625+0.65%
USD / JPY159.34-0.13%
Commoditieslatest
CommodityPrice
Gold · XAU/USD +3.85% · $/oz▲ $4,690.00
WTI crude -2.86% · $/bbl▼ $85.32
Brent crude -1.50% · $/bbl▼ $92.37
05

Global Economy

US · Geopolitics

Trump admin unveils anti-Iran global sanctions plan, signals China not exempt

(24 Aug) The administration has outlined a strategy to isolate the Iranian economy by threatening secondary sanctions on its international enablers. This escalation follows the expiration of a ceasefire window, signaling a more aggressive diplomatic posture.

Read full article → CNBC
US · Trade

Trump says U.S. will hike Canada auto tariffs as trade war escalates

(24 Aug) The president announced plans to significantly raise tariffs on Canadian automotive imports and parts starting next year. The move intensifies the ongoing trade dispute, prompting concerns about the economic impact on both nations' integrated supply chains.

Read full article → CNBC
US · Macro

Bessent could tap Treasury General Account to fund bond buybacks, sources said

(24 Aug) The Treasury Department is considering utilizing its general account to finance upcoming bond repurchases, according to sources familiar with the matter. This approach would provide the government with substantial capacity to influence long-term borrowing costs without issuing new debt.

Read full article → CNBC
Markets · Commodities

Gold hits over three-month high on dollar weakness, Treasury bond buyback plans

(25 Aug) Bullion prices advanced to their highest level in several months, supported by a softer greenback and expectations surrounding government debt operations. The combination of currency depreciation and potential Treasury interventions has bolstered demand for the traditional safe-haven asset.

Read full article → CNBC
China · Tech

Alibaba plunges after announcing share placement to fund AI push

(24 Aug) The Chinese technology conglomerate saw its shares fall sharply after pricing a massive equity offering to finance its artificial intelligence investments. The dilutive capital raise highlights the intense financial commitments required to compete in the rapidly evolving sector.

Read full article → CNBC
Asia · Macro

Singapore inflation hits highest in nearly two years, but undershoots expectations

(24 Aug) Consumer prices in the city-state rose at their fastest pace in almost twenty-four months last month, driven by domestic cost pressures. However, the headline figure came in slightly below market forecasts, suggesting that underlying inflationary pressures may be stabilizing.

Read full article → CNBC
Global · Tech

Porsche inks major deal for AI deployment with India’s largest IT services firm Tata Consultancy

(25 Aug) The German automaker has awarded a significant contract to the Indian technology services provider to integrate artificial intelligence across its operations. The partnership underscores the automotive industry's accelerating shift toward software-defined vehicles and advanced digital infrastructure.

Read full article → CNBC
Markets · Crypto

Bitcoin jumps, closing in on milestone as rally gathers pace

(25 Aug) The leading cryptocurrency extended its recent rally, approaching a key psychological milestone amid renewed institutional interest. Improving risk appetite and sustained inflows into spot exchange-traded funds have provided strong momentum for the digital asset.

Read full article → CNBC
Europe · Geopolitics

France, UK step up missile support for Ukraine as European leaders meet

(24 Aug) Paris and London are increasing their military aid to Kyiv following a recent surge in Russian aerial attacks. The commitment was solidified during a gathering of European leaders, reinforcing the continent's unified stance on defense and security.

Read full article → CNBC
06

Egypt Focus

Egypt macro, the external accounts and the EGX listing pipeline in focus — sourced from economyplusme, CBE, IMF and Enterprise.

Global · Macro

US announces new economic sanctions to isolate Iran

(25 Aug) US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a new round of economic sanctions targeting five vital sectors in Iran, including digital assets, gold, and maritime shipping. The measures include secondary sanctions and a blacklist of 60 entities and vessels, giving countries a specific timeline to end transactions with Tehran.

Read full article → Economy Plus
Egypt · Trade

Egypt extends export rebate program until end of 2026

(25 Aug) The Egyptian cabinet approved a six-month extension for the current export rebate program, pushing its deadline to December 31, 2026. The government allocated 48 billion Egyptian pounds for the program in the current fiscal year to support exporters and enhance the competitiveness of local products.

Read full article → Economy Plus
Saudi · Markets

Saudi market anticipates billion-dollar inflows under new CMA chair

(25 Aug) Investors and bankers expect further market liberalization, including the easing of foreign ownership restrictions, following the appointment of Mazen Al-Sudairi as head of the Saudi Capital Market Authority. The leadership change is seen as a catalyst that could attract billions of dollars to the kingdom's equity markets.

Read full article → Economy Plus
Saudi · Entertainment

Saudi's Qiddiya to develop $7 billion entertainment complex in Paris

(25 Aug) Saudi Arabia's Qiddiya Investment Company signed an agreement to develop a $7 billion entertainment complex near Paris, which will include a zone dedicated to Japanese manga. The project, funded by the Public Investment Fund, was initially proposed during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Riyadh in 2024.

Read full article → Economy Plus
Saudi · Shipping

Saudi's Bahri reports security incident involving ship in Red Sea

(25 Aug) A vessel belonging to the Saudi national shipping company Bahri was involved in a security incident in the Red Sea. The incident occurs amid ongoing regional tensions that have threatened commercial shipping routes in the area.

Read full article → Economy Plus
Egypt · Regulation

President Sisi orders investigation into Global Paradigm school case

(25 Aug) President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi directed the referral of the Global Paradigm school case to the relevant investigative authorities following complaints from parents. The Financial Regulatory Authority also filed a criminal lawsuit against the involved consumer finance company and suspended its ability to issue new financing contracts for one month.

Read full article → Economy Plus
Egypt · Automotive

Egypt plans first initiative to replace traditional cars with EVs in 2027

(25 Aug) The Egyptian government is preparing to launch an initiative in 2027 to support the transition to green transport by replacing traditional fuel vehicles with electric ones. The program will offer cash incentives to manufacturers of up to 30% of the vehicle's value, capped at 150,000 Egyptian pounds, without mandating citizens to surrender their current cars.

Read full article → Economy Plus
Egypt · Automotive

Car prices in Egypt drop amid weak demand

(25 Aug) Several automotive dealers in Egypt announced price reductions ranging from 20,000 to 340,000 Egyptian pounds across various models. Industry officials attributed the discounts to declining sales and weak consumer demand rather than a drop in the dollar exchange rate.

Read full article → Economy Plus
Egypt · Technology

Telecom Ministry launches 'Karnk Chat' AI system with Arabic capabilities

(25 Aug) The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology launched the experimental version of Karnk Chat, an intelligent conversational system built on the Karnk large language model. The system aims to enhance digital sovereignty and provide advanced capabilities in understanding and generating both Modern Standard Arabic and Egyptian colloquialisms.

Read full article → Economy Plus
Egypt · Wealth

Nassef Sawiris' wealth jumps to record $12.2 billion

(25 Aug) The wealth of Egypt's richest man, billionaire Nassef Sawiris, reached a record $12.2 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. His net worth increased by $1.57 billion over the past year, driven largely by his investments in the gold and mining sectors through Lamancha Holdings.

Read full article → Economy Plus
Egypt · Banking

National Bank of Egypt retail portfolio exceeds 500 billion pounds in Q2

(25 Aug) The retail banking portfolio at the National Bank of Egypt surpassed 500 billion Egyptian pounds in the second quarter of 2026, growing by 62.5 billion pounds since the end of 2025. The expansion reflects the bank's increased provision of digital and retail banking products across various customer segments.

Read full article → Economy Plus
Egypt · Fintech

Fintech firm Balad targets $2 billion in annual remittances to Egypt

(25 Aug) Financial infrastructure company Balad aims to process about 5% of total remittances sent to Egypt, equivalent to $1.8 billion to $2 billion annually. The company, recently acquired by EFG Finance, was the first to receive Central Bank of Egypt approval to operate as a financial remittance aggregator.

Read full article → Economy Plus
Egypt · Real Estate

SODIC launches new phase of Caesar project in Ras El Hekma

(25 Aug) Sixth of October Development and Investment Company, SODIC, launched a new phase of its Caesar project in the Ras El Hekma area on the North Coast. The 280-acre project has seen 100 acres developed so far, with ongoing work on the second 180-acre phase.

Read full article → Economy Plus
Egypt · Markets

Egyptian Stock Exchange to close for Prophet's Birthday

(25 Aug) The Egyptian Stock Exchange announced it will be closed on Thursday, August 27, 2026, in observance of the Prophet's Birthday. Trading will resume on Sunday, August 30, following the official government holiday.

Read full article → Economy Plus
Egypt · Markets

Egyptian equities close lower on profit-taking

(25 Aug) The Egyptian Stock Exchange indices closed lower on Monday, with the main EGX30 index dropping 0.34% to 55,164 points due to profit-taking. The equal-weighted EGX70 and EGX100 indices also declined by 1.15% and 0.93%, respectively.

Read full article → Economy Plus
Egypt · Currency

Egyptian pound edges up against dollar amid hot money outflows

(25 Aug) The US dollar fell by 4 piasters against the Egyptian pound, trading at 50.79 pounds for buying and 50.89 pounds for selling. The currency movement occurred despite a net outflow of $441 million in hot money from the secondary government debt market.

Read full article → Economy Plus
Egypt · Macro

Egypt confirms adequate FX reserves to cover strategic goods

(25 Aug) The Egyptian government affirmed that it maintains safe levels of foreign exchange reserves sufficient to cover the strategic needs for basic commodities. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly discussed the matter with Central Bank Governor Hassan Abdullah while coordinating efforts to continuously boost strategic stockpiles.

Read full article → Economy Plus
Egypt · Regulation

Egypt sets rules for compensating owners of distinct architectural buildings

(25 Aug) The Egyptian government issued regulations for the committee responsible for estimating compensation when demolition or addition licenses are banned for buildings with distinct architectural styles. Property owners or their legal representatives can now submit compensation requests along with ownership documents to the designated committee.

Read full article → Economy Plus
Egypt · Energy

UAE's Amiya Power seeks renewable energy and desalination projects in Egypt

(25 Aug) UAE-based Amiya Power is looking to participate in renewable energy and seawater desalination projects in Egypt. The company's CEO discussed cooperation opportunities with Housing Minister Randa El-Menshawi, focusing on providing power and water for drinking and sanitation facilities.

Read full article → Economy Plus
Egypt · Oil & Gas

Falco Energy boosts Egypt drilling, expects up to 8,100 bpd in 2026

(25 Aug) Falco Energy commenced its drilling program in Egypt in May 2026, successfully completing and putting three development wells into production by July. The company expects its production to range between 7,300 and 8,100 barrels per day this year, with first-half revenues rising 22.6% to $82.3 million.

Read full article → Economy Plus
Egypt · Agriculture

EBRD launches project to boost agri-food competitiveness in Egypt and Jordan

(25 Aug) The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development initiated a new technical cooperation project to enhance the export capacity and sustainability of the agri-food sector in Egypt and Jordan. The program aims to address challenges related to climate change and stringent environmental regulations in global markets.

Read full article → Economy Plus
Saudi · Insurance

Saudi Arabia discusses state-backed war risk insurance program

(25 Aug) Saudi Arabia is in discussions with London insurance brokers to establish a kingdom-backed war and political risk insurance program for ships operating in the region. The initiative comes as the insurance sector has raised premiums and restricted coverage for vessels and oil shipments due to regional conflicts.

Read full article → Economy Plus
Tunisia · Macro

Tunisia's circulating cash hits record 30 billion dinars

(25 Aug) Cash in circulation in Tunisia increased by 16% year-on-year to a record high of over 30 billion dinars, equivalent to $10.5 billion. The surge highlights the growing reliance on cash in the Tunisian economy, placing additional pressure on bank liquidity.

Read full article → Economy Plus
Global · Trade

India lifts wheat export ban to ease global supply pressures

(25 Aug) India has lifted the ban on wheat exports that has been in place since 2022, a move expected to increase global supply and ease supply pressures. The decision comes as grain trade disruptions renew in the Black Sea region due to the escalating war between Russia and Ukraine.

Read full article → Economy Plus