Stock Markets
Gaza’s economy could take decades to recover, UN trade body says
© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: People search through the rubble of damaged buildings following an Israeli air strike on Palestinian houses, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip December 12, 20
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By Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber and Cecile Mantovani
GENEVA (Reuters) – It could take until the closing years of the century for Gaza’s economy to regain its pre-conflict size if hostilities in the Palestinian enclave were to cease immediately, the U.N. trade body said in a report published on Wednesday.
Israel’s offensive in Gaza in the wake of attacks by Hamas gunmen on Oct. 7 have killed more than 26,000 people, according to local authorities, and decimated infrastructure and the livelihoods of its 2.3 million inhabitants.
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development said the conflict had precipitated a 24% contraction in Gaza’s GDP (gross domestic product) and a 26.1% drop in GDP per capita for all of 2023.
UNCTAD said that if the military operation were to end and reconstruction to start immediately – and if the growth trend seen in 2007-2022 persisted, at an annual average rate of 0.4% — Gaza could restore its pre-conflict GDP levels in 2092.
At best, under a scenario that GDP could grow at 10% annually, it would still take Gaza’s GDP per capita until 2035 to reach the level of 2006, before Israel in 2007 made permanent a land, sea and air blockade citing security concerns.
“It will take until 2092 for Gaza to go back to its 2022 level, which wasn’t at all a good place for people in Gaza,” said Rami Alazzeh, an economist who works on the Occupied Palestinian Territories at UNCTAD.
“I think the main takeaway from the report is that the level of destruction that we’re witnessing in Gaza is unprecedented. It’s going to take a lot of efforts from the international community for the rebuilding and recovery in Gaza.”
UNCTAD said that in order to recover following a previous Israeli military intervention in Gaza in 2014, the enclave needs stood at around $3.9 billion. Those needs would be significantly higher following the current conflict, it said.
“Given the level of destruction and the intensity of the damages we’re witnessing currently in Gaza, and that the military operation is still ongoing, the number required for recovery in Gaza will be multiple times the $3.9 billion required after the 2014 war,” Alazzeh said.
Gaza’s economy had been in a shambles even prior to the conflict due to the Israeli economic blockade, with the enclave’s economy contracting 4.5% in the first three quarters of 2023, according to UNCTAD estimates.
Two-third of the population lived in poverty and 45% of the workforce were unemployed before the conflict. As of December, unemployment had surged to a staggering 79.3%, UNCTAD said.
“I don’t think the international community or the people in Gaza can afford decades of humanitarian catastrophe,” Alazzeh said.
“Gaza needs to be part of the development agenda rather than being treated as a humanitarian case.”
(This story has been refiled to correct the spelling of the economist’s name)
Stock Markets
Billionaire hedge fund manager Loeb shifts portfolio, eyes possible Republican U.S. election wins
By Svea Herbst-Bayliss
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Billionaire investor Daniel Loeb adjusted his portfolio to capture a potential boom in corporate activity after the Nov. 5 U.S. election where he expects the Republican Party will chalk up wins.
Loeb believes the Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump, is more likely to win the White House and that his party’s policies could help boost financial markets.
“The likelihood of a Republican victory in the White House has increased, which would have a positive impact on certain sectors and the market overall,” Loeb wrote to investors in his hedge fund Third Point on Thursday. Reuters obtained a copy of the letter.
Third Point has made stock and option purchases and increased positions that “could benefit from such a scenario” while also shifting the “portfolio away from companies that will not,” the letter said. He did not elaborate on what trades the firm has been making.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll this week found that Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris held a marginal lead of three percentage points over Trump as the two stayed locked in a tight race.
Even if Trump loses, Loeb expects the Republican Party will establish a majority in the U.S. Senate which he expects can limit the “economic downside of a “Blue Sweep” by the Democratic party.
Many large investors have expressed concern about the Democrats’ economic and fiscal proposals and Loeb wrote that the party’s plans could result in “crushing taxes,” and “stifling regulations” that could hurt growth.
Wall Street has long held out for a rebound in mergers and acquisitions activity and Loeb wrote that fewer regulations and the elimination of the current administration’s “activist antitrust stance” will “unleash productivity and a wave of corporate activity.”
Since January, Loeb’s flagship fund has returned roughly 14% with the broader stock market index gaining about 23.6%.
Turning to the broader economy, Loeb said that interest rates still need to come down, at a time there is no evidence of a looming recession and as inflation is slowing.
But he also thinks markets should remain underpinned by healthy consumer spending and active levels of individual investing.
In a robust display of market confidence, New York Mortgage (NASDAQ:) Trust Inc Preferred (NYMTM) stock has soared to a 52-week high, reaching a price level of $24.55. This milestone underscores a significant period of growth for the company, which has witnessed an impressive 1-year change with an increase of 13.71%. Investors have shown increased interest in NYMTM, rallying behind the stock as it climbs to new heights, reflecting a strong performance in the face of market dynamics. The 52-week high serves as a testament to the company’s resilience and the positive sentiment surrounding its financial prospects.
InvestingPro Insights
New York Mortgage Trust Inc Preferred (NYMTM) has reached a significant milestone with its stock price hitting a 52-week high. This achievement is particularly noteworthy given the company’s current financial landscape. According to InvestingPro data, NYMTM boasts a substantial dividend yield of 8.07%, which aligns with one of the InvestingPro Tips highlighting that the company “pays a significant dividend to shareholders.” This attractive yield may be a key factor driving investor interest and contributing to the stock’s recent performance.
Despite the stock’s strong showing, it’s important to note that NYMTM faces some challenges. The company’s revenue for the last twelve months stands at $151.99 million, with a concerning operating income margin of -32.06%. This negative margin correlates with another InvestingPro Tip indicating that “analysts do not anticipate the company will be profitable this year.”
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This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.
In a recent transaction, Jill Bourland, a director at Isabella Bank Corp (OTC:ISBA), acquired additional shares of the company’s common stock. The transaction, dated October 16, 2024, involved the purchase of 9.5238 shares at a price of $21 per share, totaling approximately $199.
Following this acquisition, Bourland’s total direct ownership in Isabella Bank increased to 4,872.5363 shares. This figure includes shares acquired through the company’s quarterly dividend reinvestment program, as noted in the filing.
Isabella Bank Corp, headquartered in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, operates as a state commercial bank. The bank continues to focus on providing financial services to its local community and beyond.
In other recent news, Isabella Bank Corp revealed a potential loss of around $1.6 million due to negative balances in deposit accounts linked to a single customer. The total exposure to this customer, including loans and lines of credit, amounts to $4.0 million. Piper Sandler maintained a Neutral rating on the bank’s shares following this disclosure. The bank also declared a third-quarter cash dividend of $0.28 per common share. In addition, Piper Sandler raised its price target for Isabella Bank from $20.00 to $22.00 and increased its earnings per share estimates for 2024 and 2025 to $1.80 and $2.10, respectively. These recent developments underscore the bank’s commitment to enhancing shareholder value and its resilience in navigating challenging situations.
InvestingPro Insights
As Jill Bourland increases her stake in Isabella Bank Corp (OTC:ISBA), investors may find additional context in the company’s financial metrics and market performance. According to InvestingPro data, Isabella Bank currently boasts a market capitalization of $158.11 million and trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.81, suggesting a potentially attractive valuation relative to earnings.
The bank’s dividend policy stands out as a key strength. An InvestingPro Tip highlights that Isabella Bank has maintained dividend payments for 17 consecutive years, demonstrating a commitment to shareholder returns. This is further supported by the current dividend yield of 5.27%, which may be particularly appealing to income-focused investors in the current market environment.
Despite a challenging economic backdrop, Isabella Bank remains profitable, with an operating income margin of 26.1% for the last twelve months as of Q2 2024. However, another InvestingPro Tip indicates that net income is expected to drop this year, which investors should monitor closely.
It’s worth noting that Isabella Bank’s stock is trading near its 52-week high, with the current price at 95.51% of that peak. This performance aligns with the company’s recent positive price returns, including a 20.91% total return over the past six months.
For investors seeking a deeper understanding of Isabella Bank’s financial health and market position, InvestingPro offers additional insights with over 10 more tips available for this stock.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.
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