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Former Federal Reserve Governor Adriana Kugler abruptly resigned after Chair Jerome Powell refused to grant her a waiver to address financial holdings that ran afoul of the central bank’s ethics rules, according to a Fed official.Kugler also faced a probe by the Fed’s internal watchdog related to her recent financial disclosures before stepping down in August, according to a document released Saturday.Fed ethics officials declined to certify Kugler’s latest disclosures, which were posted on the website of the Office of Government Ethics, and referred the matter to the board’s inspector general, the document showed. The OGE also declined to certify Kugler’s newly released disclosures.The disclosures revealed details related to financial activity that violated the Fed’s internal ethics rules.Kugler announced on August 1 that she would resign effective August 8, without citing a reason and after she missed the central bank’s July 29-30 policy meeting. At the time, the Fed said her absence from the meeting was due to a “personal matter.”Ahead of that meeting, Kugler sought permission to conduct financial transactions to address what the Fed official described as impermissible financial holdings. It wasn’t immediately clear which holdings were involved in that request.According to the official, Kugler asked for a waiver to rules requiring top Fed officials to obtain clearance before conducting certain financial transactions and prohibiting them from trading during so-called blackout periods which straddle their policy meetings. Powell denied the request.The newly released documents revealed previously undisclosed trading in individual stocks in 2024, which is prohibited for Fed officials and their immediate family members, including Materialise NV, Southwest Airlines, Cava Group, Apple and Caterpillar.Some of the prohibited trades also represented violations for having been executed during blackout periods straddling each policy meeting during which no transactions are allowed.That included the purchase of Cava shares on March 13, 2024, days ahead of a March 19-20 meeting and the sale of Southwest shares on April 29, 2024, on the eve of the Fed’s April 30-May 1 gathering. The disclosure also lists several fund transactions that fell within blackout periods.A footnote connected to the January 2, 2024 sale of Materialise NV shares read: “Consistent with her September 15, 2024, disclosure, certain trading activity was carried out by Dr Kugler’s spouse, without Dr Kugler’s knowledge and she affirms that her spouse did not intend to violate any rules or policies.”Kugler, who was appointed to the Fed in September 2023 by President Joe Biden, declined to comment.In the financial disclosure released Saturday, Fed ethics official Sean Croston said, “Consistent with our standard practices and policies, matters related to this disclosure were referred earlier this year by the Board’s Ethics Office to the independent Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.”The financial disclosure, which was submitted roughly a month after Kugler’s departure, covered calendar years 2024 and 2025 through her resignation. Top Fed officials are required to submit disclosures annually and after leaving the central bank, and to report periodic financial transactions.In periodic financial disclosures during 2024, Kugler acknowledged that she had run afoul of Fed investment and trading rules when her spouse completed four purchases of shares of Apple and Cava Group Inc.Those trades violated the central bank’s rules that limit how senior Fed officials, their spouses and minor children invest and trade.Kugler said her spouse made the purchases without her knowledge. The shares were later divested and Kugler was deemed in compliance with applicable laws and regulations by the Fed’s designated ethics official, according to the disclosures.Kugler’s resignation gave President Donald Trump an earlier-than-expected opportunity to fill a slot on the Fed’s board in the midst of his intense pressure campaign urging policymakers to drastically lower interest rates. The opening ultimately went to Trump ally Stephen Miran, who took an unpaid leave of absence from his post as a White House economic adviser and has called repeatedly for rapid rate cuts.Powell introduced tougher restrictions on investing and trading for policymakers and senior staff at the central bank in 2022. That followed revelations of unusual trading activity during 2020 by several senior officials.Boston Fed President Eric Rosengren and Dallas Fed chief Robert Kaplan each announced their early retirement after the revelations, with Rosengren citing ill health. The Fed’s internal watchdog ultimately cleared the pair of legal wrongdoing, but chastised them for undermining public confidence in the central bank.The new rules, which the Fed said at the time were aimed at supporting the public’s confidence in the impartiality and integrity of policymakers, boosted financial disclosure requirements, among other measures.

Qatar participated in the annual meeting of the Africa and Middle East Regional Committee (AMERC) of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), held in Abu Dhabi, Wednesday. CEO of the Qatar Financial Markets Authority, Dr Tamy bin Ahmad al-Binali, represented Qatar at the meeting. In a post on the social media platform X, the Authority said the discussions addressed several key issues, including cybersecurity challenges facing securities markets, regional integration of capital markets, and the experiences, initiatives, and lessons learned by member states, as well as future challenges. A workshop held alongside the meeting also explored the transition toward the use of tokenized digital assets (Tokenisation) in financial markets, examining whether this technology represents a natural step in market development or poses challenges to traditional regulatory systems. **media[381104]** Participants further discussed emerging trends in sustainable finance and how environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations have become integral to the global financial system. The discussions also touched on how financial markets are being reshaped to align with these new standards. On the sidelines of the meeting, Dr al-Binali met with Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), Emmanuel Givanakis. The two officials exchanged views on issues of mutual interest and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral co-operation, particularly in capital markets and financial services. They also reviewed key global developments in the sector and explored prospects for future collaboration.

His Excellency the Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari participated in a roundtable discussion between Qatar and the United Kingdom in London, attended by leading executives from the financial and professional services sectors.The roundtable took place during the Minister's official visit to the UK. It focused on strengthening economic relations and exploring investment opportunities between the two countries.Discussions highlighted ways to mobilise Qatari capital to support growth initiatives in the UK, as well as opportunities for British investment in projects aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030, promoting sustainable development and economic growth.Participants also emphasised the importance of long-term institutional partnerships designed to mitigate risks and maximise returns, enhancing economic integration between Qatar and the UK while supporting innovative projects in the financial and services sectors.

The net profits of companies listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) increased by 2.45% to QR 41.1 billion by the end of the third quarter of 2025, compared to QR 40.1 billion during the same period last year.According to data published Sunday on the QSE website, all listed companies have disclosed their financial statements for the period ending September 30, 2025, except for Al Faleh Educational Holding, which reports its results as of August 31 each year.

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) index opened Thursday's trading higher by 0.14%, adding 15.73 points to reach 10,866 points, compared to the previous session's close, supported by most sectors.Figures from QSE showed positive performances in the Transportation sector by 0.61%, Insurance by 0.52%, Industrials by 0.27%, Consumer Goods and Services by 0.07% and Banking and Financial Services by 0.02%.Meanwhile, Telecoms saw negative performance by 0.32% and Real Estate by 0.08%.At 10:00 AM, QSE recorded 2,998 transactions worth QAR 48.618 million, distributed over 21.028 million shares.

South Korea's central bank kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged Thursday to maintain financial stability amid a red-hot housing market and a weakening currency. In a widely expected decision, the Monetary Policy Board of the Bank of Korea (BOK) held its key rate steady at 2.5% during its rate-setting meeting in Seoul. But its policy room has been limited as surging home prices in Seoul and nearby areas have fueled household debt. The government has rolled out a series of measures to cool the real estate market. Most recently, the government designated 21 additional districts in Seoul as speculative zones, bringing all 25 districts in the capital under tougher regulations. The local currency has fallen well below 1,420 per dollar, its lowest level in months, amid the continued strength of the US dollar and uncertainties surrounding tariff negotiations with the United States, and a rate cut could further weaken the won and trigger capital outflows. The local currency opened at 1,431.8 per dollar Thursday, down 2 won from the previous session. Thursday's decision left the gap between South Korea's and the US' key interest rates at up to 1.75 percentage points. At its September meeting, the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark rate.

His Excellency Minister of Transport Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al-Thani has headed the State of Qatar's delegation to the 5th Tbilisi Silk Road Forum, inaugurated by the Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze, in Tbilisi. The two-day Forum is welcoming nearly 2000 participants from around the world, including heads of governments, ministers, business and industry leaders, and senior representatives from international, financial, and trade organizations. The Forum tackles multiple important topics relating to transportation, logistics, the development of ground, maritime and air corridors, world trade, energy, digital transformation, and the investment ecosystem of the transportation industry in the participating countries. Qatar's participation in this event translates into its commitment to supporting the international efforts aimed at enhancing global connectivity and exchange of expertise in the domain of transportation. It also emphasizes its role as an active player in developing a transportation ecosystem that is sustainable, both regionally and internationally, through various projects and initiatives consistent with the goals of the NDS3, the Ministry of Transport Strategy 2025-2030, and, ultimately, the QNV 2030.

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) general index declined 33.99 points, or 0.31%, at the beginning of Wednesday's trading session, falling to 10,787 points compared to the previous session's close. The decline was mainly driven by losses across four sectors. Leading the downturn was the transportation sector, which fell 0.93%, followed by Banks and Financial Services (-0.53%), Telecoms (-0.37%), and Real Estate (-0.16%). In contrast, gains were recorded in the Consumer Goods and Services sector (+0.48%), Industrials (+0.11%), and Insurance (+0.02%). By 10:00 am, QSE reported a turnover of QR 46.826 million, with 23.107 million shares traded across 2,914 transactions.

Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA) has announced the adoption and launch of a new trading surveillance system on the financial market, which aims to enhance the efficiency of surveillance operations, protect market dealers and ensure the application of the highest standards of transparency and integrity. The announcement came on the sidelines of QFMA's participation in the Nasdaq Surveillance Conference which was held in Toronto, Canada with an official delegation headed by His Excellency Chief Executive Officer of QFMA Dr. Tamy Bin Ahmad Al Binali. QFMA explained that the new trading surveillance system was implemented by Nasdaq, a global leader in financial technology solutions and market surveillance systems. The new system will position QFMA alongside its global peers in the field of financial market surveillance. It will also enhance the QFMA's efforts to swiftly and smoothly detect any suspicious transactions or unusual transactions. Furthermore, parts of the new system have been developed using artificial intelligence-based software, making QFMA one of the first financial market regulators to use artificial intelligence in trading surveillance operations, thus increasing investor confidence in the Qatari financial market. The adoption and launch of this system are part of QFMA's strategic initiatives to develop the technical and regulatory infrastructure in financial markets, in line with global developments in the industry, and support the goals of building a developed and secure financial market in the State of Qatar. Nasdaq Surveillance Conference is a leading global forum for market surveillance professionals. This conference brings together senior executives, regulators, and industry experts to discuss emerging trends, regulatory challenges, and the latest technological advancements in the industry. The conference agenda includes interactive discussions featuring global experts from various countries, working sessions, and case studies, during which participants exchanged experiences that can contribute to strategic decision-making in the financial sector. Key themes discussed at the conference include "Surveillance at the speed of Change", "Global Regulatory Outlook", "Surveillance Lessons from Market Volatility events", "Deep Dives: Real Challenges, Real Solutions", "The AI Tipping Point in Surveillance", and "Future Casting: Surveillance by Design in 2030". In addition to the formal program, the conference features curated networking events designed to foster collaboration among peers, enable participants to build strategic partnerships and share best practices and experiences in the financial sector. The QFMA's participation in the conference provides a favorable opportunity to strengthen its global connections and enhance its regulatory strategies under which it operates. This will position it at the forefront of regulatory excellence and enhance its efforts in shaping a robust market infrastructure and staying ahead in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) general index rose 0.11% at the start of trading on Monday, gaining 11.55 points to reach 10,848, compared to the previous session's close. Market data showed gains in Consumer Goods and Services (+0.49%), Transportation (+0.17%), and Banks and Financial Services (+0.13%), while declines were recorded in Insurance (-0.34%), Real Estate (-0.26%), Telecoms (-0.06%), and Industrials (-0.05%). By 10:00 am, QSE reported a turnover of QR 34.360 million from 14.811 million shares traded across 2,659 transactions.

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) general index started the week higher on Sunday, gaining 35.61 points, or 0.33%, to reach 10,886 points at the opening of trading.The increase was driven by gains across five sectors. Transportation led the advance with a rise of 0.97%, followed by Industrials (+0.69%), Real Estate (+0.56%), Consumer Goods and Services (+0.35%), and Banks and Financial Services (+0.13%). In contrast, Insurance edged down 0.01%, while Telecoms slipped 0.43%. By 10:00 am, QSE reported a turnover of QR 63.086 million from 30.289 million shares traded across 2,948 transactions.

HE the Minister of Finance, Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari met separately with President and Group CEO of Mizuho Financial Group, Masahiro Kihara, and Group Chairman of Standard Chartered, Maria Ramos. The meetings were held on the margin of the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group, held in Washington, DC. Discussions during the meetings, dealt with a host of matters of mutual interest, particularly in the financial and economic fields, in addition to ways to expand efforts for bilateral co-operation. The meetings also explored areas of co-operation, and the most important economic, investment and trade developments.