Author
Varsha K
Varsha is a finance professional specializing in market research and investment strategy with strong experience in financial services and comapnies like Morningstar. Her work focuses on analyzing global trends, evaluating opportunities across asset classes, and delivering thoughtful perspectives that help investors make informed decisions.
Articles by Varsha K
Saudi Exchange and Muqassa Roll Out Structural Upgrades to the Derivatives Market
Saudi Arabia's derivatives market received significant structural enhancements on August 19, 2026, including one-year fee waivers, margin optimizations, and new market-making agreements to boost liquidity and participation.
SPUS vs. HLAL: Comparing Two Shariah-Compliant US Equity ETFs
SPUS and HLAL are two leading Shariah-compliant US equity ETFs for GCC investors. While both offer diversified exposure to screened US stocks, they differ in index construction, sector tilt, fees, and performance.
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China's Gold Vault Push: A Long Road to Catch the Global Average
China is expanding its global network of gold vaults to boost the yuan's international utility, but its gold reserves at 8% of total foreign-exchange reserves still lag the 25% global average, indicating significant room for portfolio growth.
Egypt’s Stock Market Has More Than Quadrupled Since 2022. The Market Only has one ETF.
Egypt's stock market has surged over 340% since 2022, attracting retail investors and driving record trading volumes. However, currency depreciation and minimal ETF options complicate the investment narrative for GCC investors.
L'IMAD's $8.6 Billion AD Ports Take-Private Puts UAE Indexes and ETFs in Focus
L'IMAD Holding Company has offered AED 6.25 per share to acquire AD Ports Group in an $8.6 billion deal that could reshape UAE stock indexes and alter exposure for index-tracking ETF investors across the GCC.
QIA adds Lesha Bank as first local partner in Qatar Equity Initiative
The Qatar Investment Authority has invested in the Lesha Qatar Equity Fund managed by Lesha Bank, making it the first local asset manager to join QIA's Active Asset Management Initiative launched in 2024.
Crypto's $1 Trillion Rout Hits Funds Built for Retail Traders
A $1 trillion crypto market decline is forcing ETF issuers to consolidate their offerings, with smaller altcoin products facing closures while Bitcoin and Ether ETFs remain dominant.
Global ETF Assets Hit $23.11 Trillion as Record Flows Reshape the Market
Global ETF and ETP assets reached a record $23.11 trillion in July 2026, driven by record monthly inflows of $383.6 billion and year-to-date net inflows of $1.71 trillion, marking 86 consecutive months of positive flows.
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Albilad vs. Al Rajhi MSCI Saudi Equity ETFs. Two Similar Shariah ETFs by Big Banks.
Saudi investors now have two locally listed Shariah-compliant equity ETFs tracking the same MSCI benchmark. The Albilad MSCI Saudi Equity ETF (9412) and Al Rajhi MSCI Saudi Equity ETF (9413) offer investors a direct fee and execution choice.
A Comprehensive Guide to Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) in India
India's rapidly expanding ETF market now includes 300+ schemes with ₹11.45 lakh crore in assets. ETFs combine index-based diversification with stock-like tradability, with data showing they often outperform actively managed funds.
Anthropic Signs $9.1 Billion AI Compute Deal With Riot Platforms
Riot Platforms disclosed a landmark $9.1 billion, 20-year data center lease with AI company Anthropic, signaling a major shift in how Bitcoin miners monetize their infrastructure through AI compute contracts.
Gold Breaks Out as China's Central Bank Buying Gains Momentum
China's central bank extended its gold-buying streak to 21 consecutive months in July 2026, adding 640,000 ounces—the largest monthly purchase since October 2023. The accelerated sovereign buying, combined with a technical breakout in gold prices, strengthens the long-term investment case for the pr