Pre-Trading Thoughts

Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 25 bps at its policy meeting; Six hikes remaining meetings this year; US stocks rallied; Oil prices were negatively impacted Egypt and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement to expedite the completion of procedures related to investment in Egypt through the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF)Fitch: Egypt faces a higher likelihood of taking on new funding from the International Monetary Fund and a CBE rate hikeMinistry of Trade and Industry highlighted 83 investment opportunities for import replacement projects Egypt and Israel will operate direct flights between Tel Aviv and Sharm El Sheikh for the first time starting next monthFarmers will receive EGP 865-885 per ardeb (EGP5,400/ton-USD342/ton) of wheat they sell to the state CBE has launched a new financing program — Daman — to support SMEs in Upper Egypt, in partnership with Egyptian banksOrascom Financial Holding released financial results since inception and up to December 2021 recording a loss of EGP23.73mn; total equity stood at EGP2.6 bn; lending facilities recorded EGP768.2 mn; Stock is currently trading at P/B21 of 0.36xFood and Snack producers will raise prices by a minimum of 10% directly or indirectly, as a result of the higher cost of production