A handful of stories are competing for attention on planet finance, including US inflation figures — and the Fed’s decision to hold rates steady — and EY’s UK boss’ resignation.

US consumer prices remained unchanged in May, driven by lower gasoline prices offsetting higher costs for rental housing, according to the US Labor Department. This is down from a 0.3% increase in April.

The positive inflation reading boosted hopes for two rate cuts this year, one in September and another in December, despite policymakers indicating just a single rate cut in December in the Fed’s dot plot, Reuters reports. On the bright side, 2025 is expected to see four rate cuts — amounting to a 100 bps cut.

The US Federal Reserve kept its benchmark federal funds rate steady at a 5.25% to 5.5% range at yesterday’s meeting.

ALSO- EY’s UK’s head Hywel Ball handed in his resignation, setting off a leadership race while the Big Four firm navigates a market downturn, the Financial Times reports, citing an email it has seen. Ball — who has helmed EY UK since 2020 and was handed a second tenure extension in January — wrote in the email that it was time to “hand the baton” to new leadership, with the internal selection process slated to be kicked off in 2H 2024, EY said in a statement.

MARKETS THIS MORNING-

Asian markets are rallying on news of the Fed keeping interest rates unchanged and gains in EV stocks in Hong Kong. Wall Street futures also rose, indicating a continued strong streak for US benchmarks this week.

TASI

11,652

-1.1% (YTD: -2.6%)

MSCI Tadawul 30

1,456

-1.1% (YTD: -6.1%)

NomuC

26,649

-0.7% (YTD: +8.6%)

USD : SAR (SAMA)

USD 3.75 Sell

USD 3.75 Buy

Interest rates

6% repo

5.5% reverse repo

EGX30

26,133

+0.2% (YTD: +5.0%)

ADX

8,930

-0.8% (YTD: -6.8%)

DFM

3,979

-0.7% (YTD: -2.0%)

S&P 500

5,421

+0.9% (YTD: +13.7%)

FTSE 100

8,215

+0.8% (YTD: +6.2%)

Euro Stoxx 50

5,034

+1.4% (YTD: +11.3%)

Brent crude

USD 82.48

+ 0.7%

Natural gas (Nymex)

USD 3.05

– 2.7%

Gold

USD 2,354.8

+ 1.2%

BTC

USD 68,208.00

+1.5% (YTD: +61.1%)

THE CLOSING BELL: TADAWUL-

The TASI fell 1.1% yesterday on turnover of SAR 10.4 bn. The index is down 2.6% YTD.

In the green: Smasco (+20.7%), Miahona (+10.0%) and Retal (+7.1%).

In the red: Al Baha (-7.1%), Maharah (-6.0%), EIC (-4.6%).

THE CLOSING BELL: NOMU-

The NomuC fell 0.7% yesterday on turnover of SAR 43.2 mn. The index is up 8.6% YTD.

In the green: Rawasi (+9.3%), Pan Gulf (+7.8%) and Tam Development (+7.0%).

In the red: Future Care (-7.5%), Al Waha Reit (-7.4%) and CMCER (-4.7%)

CORPORATE ACTIONS-

#1- Nomu-listeed Tam Development approved a SAR 4.1 mn dividend at SAR 1.2 per share for 2023, it said in a filing to the exchange. The distribution date is set for 27 June 2024.

#2- Saudi Advanced Industries Company (SAIC) has cleared a SAR 59 mn dividend at SAR 1 per share for 2023, it said in a disclosure to Tadawul.

#3- Keir International approved a SAR 9 mn dividend for 2030 at SAR 0.075 per share, it said in a filing to Tadawul.

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