MBS Heads To Washington; Fed Rate Cut Unclear | Horizons Middle East & Africa 11/17/2025

Market Trends & Economic Indicators - Investors await the Federal Reserve's interest rate cuts, with jobs report due Thursday [1][23] - The USD gained, up 01% [2] - Bitcoin at one point erased the gains of 2025, then up 18% [2][25] - S&P futures are up 4/10 of 1% [24] Company Performance & Investment - Oracle's credit spreads are climbing, stock is down 25% due to AI investment concerns [3][25] - NVIDIA earnings are a key event this week [3][51] - Samsung is hiking chip prices, giving a leg up for TSMC [3] - Saudi Arabia's PIF holdings in U.S-listed stocks decreased to $194 billion, the lowest in almost one year [21] - Abu Dhabi Investment Authority is considering reducing its stake in a Qatari telco company, aiming to raise $500 million or $600 million [22] Geopolitical & Policy Impacts - China issued a travel advisory to Japan following comments on Taiwan, impacting department stores with double-digit declines due to reliance on the Chinese market for 30% of revenue [4][26] - MBS is heading to Washington for discussions on nuclear tech and expanding the Abraham Accords [23][28] - South Africa's credit rating has improved for the first time since 2005, but remains two steps below investment grade [38][39]