Bloomberg Business activity in the Arab world’s two largest economies improved at the start of 2021, with the United Arab Emirates seeing growth in its job market. Non-oil private sector activity in Saudi Arabia soared during January as new work levels increased and operating conditions improved in the UAE, helped by an expansion in new orders and output. Purchasing Managers’ …

DUBAI / WAM Dubai’s real estate market continued to be attractive to local and global investors in 2020, with the sector recording 51,414 transactions representing a value of over AED175 billion, according to the annual transaction report issued by the Dubai Land Department (DLD). The report revealed that real estate sales reached AED72.5 billion with 35,423 transactions, while mortgages recorded …

Bloomberg Oil extended gains after closing at the highest level in more than a year as declines in US and Chinese crude stockpiles added impetus to a rally driven by tightening global supplies. Futures in New York climbed to trade above $55 a barrel. The American Petroleum Institute reported crude inventories fell by 4.3 million barrels last week, people familiar …

Bloomberg Nigerian independent producer Heirs Oil & Gas Ltd plans to restore an oil block acquired from Royal Dutch Shell Plc to its former output levels to make it one of the country’s biggest local operators. Heirs finalised its purchase of an operating stake in a permit known as Oil Mining Lease 17 in a deal worth more than $1 …

Bloomberg Wizz Air Holdings Plc has a chance to become a force across Europe, using its low-cost structure and financial clout to capture a bigger share of the market when the coronavirus finally lets up. The Hungarian discount carrier has snapped up airport capacity in Italy, Germany, Norway and the UK during the pandemic, but the westward push has been …

Bloomberg Future Retail Ltd’s dollar bonds plunged on an Indian court temporarily restraining parent Future Group from selling its retail assets to Reliance Industries Ltd, after Future’s partner Amazon.com Inc had sought the suspension. The Delhi High Court ordered the Future Group and Indian authorities to ensure the status of the indebted Indian retailer’s assets are maintained as is, putting …

Bloomberg JetBlue Airways Corp has remodeled its premium Mint cabin for the company’s trans-Atlantic debut later this year, changing the seats into “suites” with sliding doors and adding two larger “studios.” The carrier will offer 24 premium berths on flights connecting New York and Boston with London, which are set to begin in the third quarter with single-aisle Airbus SE …

Bloomberg Ulta Beauty Inc, US’s biggest cosmetics retailer, plans to increase spending on inclusion and antidiscrimination training programs and will boost the number of products for sale by Black-owned businesses as the industry tries to address racial inequality. Included in the commitment is $2 million for staff training this year to “ensure equality in guest experiences.” In 2019, several Ulta …

Bloomberg Dennis Muilenburg, the former chief executive officer of Boeing Co who stepped down during the 737 Max crisis, has filed for a blank-check company. His special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) is called New Vista Acquisition and is seeking to raise $200 million, a filing showed, which confirmed an earlier Bloomberg News report. It intends to focus on finding a …

Bloomberg Hormel Foods Corp is nearing a deal to buy the Planters snack business from Kraft Heinz Co in a deal valuing the peanut brand at about $3 billion, according to a person familiar with the matter. A deal could be reached as soon as next week, according to the person, who did not want to be identified discussing the …