Bonds Rise on Rate-Cut Bets; Gold Dips Below $5,000 | Horizons Middle East & Africa 2/16/2026

From Bloomberg Markets and Finance.

Bonds gained and equities steadied after benign US inflation data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates this year. Also on the show: US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio downplays the chances of a fracture in the US and European alliance; Japan’s economy ekes out anemic growth as Takaichi eyes spending; Cocoa’s dramatic boom and bust is beginning to reshape how markets in West Africa operate; Gold slips as traders book profits; Saudi Arabia is opening up the real estate market in the holy city of Mecca; Lebanon PM says his government can overcome differences with the IMF. Guests include: Vincent Juvyns, Chief Investment Strategist at ING Belgium; Guy Wolf, Global Head of Market Analytics, Marex.

Horizons Middle East & Africa is your daily spotlight on one of the world’s fastest-growing regions. Live from Dubai, we bring you the latest global markets and analysis, plus news-making interviews, with a special focus on MEA. All that and more, as you head to the office in the Gulf, pause for lunch in Hong Kong, or start your day in London or Johannesburg.

Chapters:
00:00:00 – Introduction
00:00:41 – Stocks edge higher on expectations that the Fed will cut rates
00:03:00 – Vincent Juvyns, Chief Investment Strategist at ING Belgium
00:09:25 – Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State on US-Europe relations
00:13:42 – Japan ekes out growth
00:17:22 – Cocoa boom & bust triggers change
00:26:23 – Guy Wolf, Global Head of Market Analytics, Marex
00:34:29 – Saudi Arabia opens up lucrative Mecca real estate sector
00:37:39 – Lebanon confident it can bridge gaps with IMF
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