BUSINESS

The escalating tension in the Middle East and the logistical deadlock in the Strait of Hormuz have dealt a blow to the heart of Turkish industry. Due to the increase in plastic raw material prices and the disruption in the supply chain, many plastic facilities located in Istanbul, Gaziantep, and Konya have brought their holiday break forward. According to a report by Merve Yiğitcan from Ekonomim, factories that have sent their employees on holiday leave are urgently awaiting a 'force majeure' regulation from the public sector.

The escalating tension in the Middle East has led to an unexpected scenario in Dubai, the heart of global gold trade. Due to the war in the region, the halt of flights and disruption of logistic lines resulted in tons of gold bars being stranded in Dubai. Sellers eager to liquidate their stocks began offering massive discounts, with prices plunging to as much as $30 below the benchmark price in the London market.

The reciprocal attacks between the USA, Israel, and Iran have sent gold investors into a panic. The anticipated rise in gold prices, which typically surge during periods of war, has failed to materialize, leaving many puzzled. People have started to question, 'Why has gold fallen? Will it rise again?' As speculation about the future of gold prices continues, Financial Analyst Islam Memiş has made a new prediction. Memiş anticipates that gold will rise upon the announcement of a 'ceasefire'. Meanwhile, he also issued a warning to gold investors.

Software titan Oracle is reportedly planning to lay off thousands of employees due to escalating costs and cash needs in their process of expanding artificial intelligence data centers. It's indicated that the company is particularly aiming to reduce operational expenses in order to accelerate infrastructure investments.According to industry sources, the competition among technology giants over artificial intelligence infrastructure is becoming increasingly fierce. Consequently, the high investment costs in this field are forcing companies to undertake restructuring and cost-cutting measures.

The globe is attentively observing the evolving situation in the Middle East. With oil prices skyrocketing, there's a growing intrigue about the fate of gold, a reliable refuge in turbulent times. Economist Selçuk Geçer has disseminated his forecasts about gold on his YouTube channel. Urging investors to 'maintain their composure,' Geçer cautioned that succumbing to panic could result in financial setbacks.

What's the current state of affairs regarding gold prices? The global markets have been thrown into a frenzy following the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran, which led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. With the breakout of war, the focus has shifted to the fluctuation of gold prices. So, are we expecting a surge or a plunge in gold prices? Economist Emrah Lafçı has issued a crucial alert for gold and silver.

With the rapid expansion of e-commerce, courier companies are experiencing a golden age. However, the situation in the United States tells a different story. Despite an increase in the number of packages, the profits of courier companies have remained stagnant. The world's two leading courier giants, FedEx and UPS, have decided to downsize. These courier companies are set to close hundreds of facilities, potentially leading to thousands of layoffs. This situation could result in an increase in shipping fees.

Apple, a leading global technology company, has acquired 'Kuzu', a company founded by Turkish entrepreneurs. It has emerged that Kuzu, a graphic database company established by Ardan Araç and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Serdar Salihoğlu, joined the Apple family last year.

Peter Schiff, an economist renowned for his prophetic prediction of the 2008 global crisis, has shared his alarming new scenario that could shake the markets. As gold prices continue their record-breaking climb, Schiff has revealed his unsettling forecast regarding the dollar. He stated, 'The US dollar will collapse, and gold will take its place.' According to this esteemed economist, the rapid rise in gold prices is a harbinger of a new crisis. Schiff further claims that this impending crisis will be even greater than the one experienced in 2008.

NFTs, the general term for digital assets operating on blockchain technology, entered our lives following the pandemic. These digital art pieces made such a swift entrance into the market that even simple visual files sold for millions of dollars, leading many to view them as the investment tool of the future. However, NFT technology didn't exactly bring smiles to the faces of its investors. Recently, the value of a digital piece that sold for 1.8 million dollars in 2021 has come under scrutiny once more.

The top 10 wealthiest individuals in the world have been revealed. Forbes has shared its updated billionaires list. Elon Musk added a staggering 244 billion to his fortune just as the clock struck midnight on January 1st. The leading economic magazine, Forbes, stated in its announcement, 'Musk, the wealthiest person on the planet, is now almost three times richer than Larry Page, the co-founder of Google, who is in second place.'

Gold and silver shone bright under the star of 2025. Those who invested in gold and silver reaped significant rewards in 2025. But what will be the winning investment tool of 2026? Citizens looking to invest are researching the prices of gold, silver, and other precious metals. Amidst this, a critical statement came from Finance Analyst Islam Memiş. Memiş shed light on the trajectory of gold and silver in 2026.

RollsRoyce Holdings, one of the world's largest aviation and engineering companies, overcame one of the most significant crises in its history under the astute leadership of a Turkish executive. Tufan Erginbilgiç, who assumed the role of CEO in the early months of 2023, immediately likened the company to a 'burning platform,' initiating a transformation that not only saved the British giant from bankruptcy but also led it to record profitability when compared to the company's values.

As we inch closer to the new year, data for 2025 is gradually coming into focus. This year's most-read books and most-watched films have been identified, and now, the wealthiest individuals of the year have also been revealed. Intriguing details have emerged from the data provided by Forbes and the Hurun Global Rich List. The countries and cities where billionaires prefer to reside this year have been determined according to the data for 2025.In addition to America and Europe, let's see which Asian countries have managed to climb to the top this year?

Gold takes the lead among the investment tools preferred by citizens. Factors such as interest rate cuts and geopolitical risks deeply impact gold prices. The GOLD S1 certificates offered to the public by the Mint and Stamp Printing House have surpassed gold prices. So, what is a GOLD S1 certificate? How much is GOLD S1 in Turkish Lira?