???? Gold Breaks Records!

Hala,

?? Can sandals be art? Birkenstock says yes, but a German court says nein!(1) ???? Germany’s top court ruled that Birkenstocks are comfy but not copyright-worthy. The judges took one look at those big-buckled beauties and said, "Nice try, but we’re not toe-tally convinced." ??

amana’s Crypto Take

• Bitcoin holds the line at $98K. The world’s largest cryptocurrency isn’t budging, locking in its strongest close in nearly three weeks. Traders, who had been watching paint dry amid record-low volatility, finally got some movement. The price action remains tight, but at least there’s a pulse.
• A weaker-than-expected U.S. labor market gave Bitcoin a boost, as investors speculated on how policymakers might react. Still, don’t hold your breath for a rate cut—CME’s FedWatch Tool all but dismisses the idea for March. For now, Bitcoin traders are eyeing $98,400 as the next key level before dreaming of six-figure territory.
• Bitcoin isn’t alone in its ascent. Gold is shining, the S&P 500 is on a record-breaking spree, and risk appetite is back in fashion. The crypto market’s ability to ride the wave underscores Bitcoin’s growing role as a fixture in diversified portfolios—whether it’s a safe-haven asset or just along for the ride remains up for debate.

Stock Market Update

????? Wall Street slammed the brakes on Thursday as Walmart’s dull forecast had investors ditching stocks faster than last season’s trends. The Dow shed 1.01% to 44,176.65, the S&P 500 trimmed 0.43% to 6,117.52, and the Nasdaq 100 slid 0.48% to 22,068.06.(2) Looks like the market just ran out of gas. ???

???? Meanwhile, Gulf markets played seesaw—Abu Dhabi rose 0.5% to 9,642, and Dubai lost 0.2%?to 5,380—dodging tariff threats and the Fed’s softer stance.(3) ????

???? Gold Prices Surge Like a Tidal Wave!

Hold onto your hats, folks! Gold prices are surging like a tidal wave (12% so far this year), sweeping all previous records away in their path, driven by mounting fears and escalating global tensions. With a record-breaking rise to $2,954.69 an ounce, the shiny metal has hit its tenth all-time high this year.(4) Whether it's global trade wars, tariff threats, or geopolitical drama, gold is the ultimate safe-haven lifeboat for those seeking a solid investment anchor. ????

???? Gold Prices Are Hitting New Heights:

• Record Highs: $2,954.69 per ounce—talk about an over-the-top performance!
• Safe-Haven Surge: Fears of a trade war and inflation concerns are fueling the rise.
• Central Bank Power: Continued gold buying and ETF flows are helping keep things afloat.
• Trump’s Tariffs: The U.S. President's trade moves are adding fuel to the fire. ????

???? A Shiny New Record for Gold!

Gold’s rally is turning heads like a rock star on stage, hitting new records, and its dazzling shine isn't fading anytime soon. As central banks continue their buying spree and investors rush to secure their wealth, gold is proving to be the ultimate ticket to safety in uncertain times. With geopolitical tensions on the rise, there’s no telling how high this precious metal will climb. So, whether you’re buying or just watching, gold’s show is one you don’t want to miss! ????

?

Closer to Home?

• ? Oil giant ADNOC is putting some gas in the trading tank with its plan to sell 3.1 billion shares of ADNOC Gas—about 4% of its 90% stake that it currently owns in the company—boosting liquidity and eyeing a spot in global indices.(5) Buckle up. ??
• Dubai Taxi Company put the pedal to the metal in 2024. Revenue jumped 12% YoY to AED2.2B, fueled by strong performance across all segments. And shareholders? Enjoy that AED281.6M dividend ride!(6) ??
• ?? Meanwhile, First Abu Dhabi Bank’s 2025 Global Investment Outlook sees UAE’s GDP speeding from 4.5% to 5.6%, outpacing the IMF’s 3.2% forecast, and GCC cruising from 2.1% to 4.2%—with AI and diversification flooring the gas.(7) #FullSpeedAhead! ???

What Else Is Trending

• ?? Amazon just swiped Walmart’s crown, topping it in quarterly revenue for the first time, raking in $187.8B vs. Walmart’s $180.5B in Q4, powered by cloud, ads, and seller services.(8) Walmart just got out-primed. ??
• ?? Adding insult to injury, Walmart’s shares took a freefall, sliding 6% on Thursday as a cautious profit outlook overshadowed 4% revenue growth and a 20% e-commerce sales surge.(9) Tough times! ?
• ?? Meanwhile, Alibaba flexed its tech muscle, with shares soaring 8% as profits hit 48.95B yuan ($6.72B), thanks to cloud, e-commerce, and an AI turbo boost.(10) What a rollercoaster! ??

??Quote of the Day

“Ongoing trade tensions continue to stoke inflation and growth concerns and therefore safe-haven interest in gold.” — Peter Grant, vice president and senior metals strategist at Zaner Metals

?

amana.app

Sources:(1) AP News, (2) (8) (9) (10) CNBC, (3) (4) Reuters, (5) (6) Zawya, (7) Economy Middle East