RAKBANK CEO expects challenging second half

Peter England said it would be a tough year for the bank despite some signs of improvement

Saudi government selling up to SAR20bn of bonds – report

The government began regular monthly sales in mid-2015 to help cover a budget deficit

Dubai’s Eureeca raises $400,000 in 12-day crowd funding campaign

Funds will be used to expand the platform internationally

Abu Dhabi Financial Group ups GFH stake

GFH signs MoU to acquire majority stake in Bahrain’s Bank Al Khair

The deal is subject to board approvals and due diligence

Regional IPO market sees 80% year-on-year drop in values in Q2

The MENA region recorded six IPOs in the second quarter of 2016

Saudi’s ACWA Power secures $160m of bank financing

The funds add to a 2015 revolving facility

Saudi to let foreign institutions buy shares in IPOs

The move is expected to take effect at the start of next year

Different Arab money

Saudi, other issuers gear up as Gulf bond crush looms

GCC gears up for one of its heaviest-ever periods of international issuance – possibly over $25bn by the end of October

Qatar sells QAR4.6bn in bonds, sukuk

An official said most banks participated in the offer

Qatar central bank says QAR3bn bond offer ‘successful’

The facility was the first domestic government bond offer this year

Profit at Abu Dhabi's Mubadala climbs 12.4%

Abu Dhabi hires advisers for sovereign fund merger

In late June, Abu Dhabi announced it would merge Mubadala and IPIC

Qatar central bank offers bonds in first riyal sale this year

A central bank official said results of the offer would be known on Tuesday

NBAD group CEO Thursby steps down

Thursby’s departure comes ahead of the bank’s merger with FGB

Dubai Financial Group sells stake in EFG-Hermes to Natixis

Based on Thursday’s closing price, the stake is worth more than $100m

Saudi central bank says riyal will remain pegged to US dollar

The central bank said it has “sufficient tools” to support the exchange rate of the riyal

China’s ICBC aims for benchmark dollar bond via Dubai by year-end

It would be the third bond issue by China’s largest bank via its DIFC office

Bahrain’s Investcorp plans up to six new investments

Investcorp aims to more than double its assets under management in the next five to seven years

Ismaik’s Marya Group reveals listing plans

Firm says it will eventually go public after increasing investment portfolio to $1bn

Saudi’s stock market to further ease restrictions on foreign investment

Ownership limits and minimum qualifications for overseas institutions will be eased next month

Egypt closes 48 forex bureaus in black market crackdown – sources

Egypt devalued its currency by nearly 14 per cent in March in an effort to close the gap with the black market rate

Nasdaq Dubai to open equities futures market

The introduction of stock futures could be a major development for equity markets in the UAE

S&P maintains strong Abu Dhabi ratings despite low oil prices

The agency affirmed its ‘AA’ long-term ratings for the emirate

Dubai-based TURN8 launches $60m venture capital fund

The new fund will be used to support start-ups in technology innovation

Oil price rebound may lift bourses in Gulf

Brent oil futures have risen 0.6 per cent on Thursday morning to $43.34 per barrel

Gulf IPO activity drops by half in Q2

Economic volatility and lower oil prices led to a significant slowdown in listing activity

Bahrain’s Ahli United Bank raises stake in Commercial Bank of Iraq

AUB acquired a 49 per cent stake in the bank in December 2005

Dubai-based camel milk producer receives VAT exemption

Value added tax is expected to be introduced in the UAE in 2018

Dubai Investments profit up 2% in H1

The firm’s CEO said it will continue to broaden its footprint and asset base

Mohamed Alabbar to acquire stake in YNAP from Richemont

Dubai’s Alabbar leads investors behind 16.45% Aramex stake buy

The Emirati businessman is said to have led two stake acquisitions in the logistics firm

Claim values at Dubai’s DIFC Courts up 48% in first half of 2016

The total value of cases handled by the English-language commercial court was around Dhs 3.44bn