Stock news: Dubai tumbles 2.7% after oil hits new low

Oil prices in the United States tumbled to their lowest level since 2009 on Wednesday

Saudi stock market plunge not caused by govt selling shares

The main Saudi stock index has plunged 12 per cent this month

Abu Dhabi’s Aabar Investments appoints new CEO

The state fund has appointed IPIC’s director of investments Mohamed Hamad Al Mehairi as Aabar’s new CEO

Dubai’s ruler issues new law to boost public-private partnerships

The law aims to encourage the private sector to participate and invest in infrastructure development

UAE says introducing VAT delayed by disagreement in region

Once a decision to impose VAT is made, the public will be given about 18 months to prepare for the implementation, state news agency WAM said

UAE’s NMC Health completes purchase of Dr Sunny Healthcare Group

The deal expands NMC’s addressable market and patient cross-referral capabilities of its network

UAE Exchange bids for finance company Dunia

Majid Al Futtaim and other local banks have also reportedly bid for Dunia

Saudi’s ACWA Power says raises extra $295.7m of bank finance

It increased its 2013 revolving credit facility by SAR400m, with National Commercial Bank and Samba Financial Group contributing equally to the extra amount

Bahrain to remove meat subsidies as cheap oil hits budget

Bahraini citizens will be compensated for the higher meat prices

Arab Bank settles US lawsuit over attacks by militants

Approximately 500 U.S. citizens had sued Arab Bank under the U.S Anti-Terrorism Act

Kuwait’s Agility Q2 net profit rises 5.5%

The firm said net profit in the three months to June 30 was KD 13.5m

Nearly half of Saudis are ‘uncomfortable’ with their debt – study

Many Saudis take bank loans to consolidate existing debts, according to a new report

Dubai’s July non-oil business growth slowest since 2012

The index fell to 53.1 in July from 55.5 in June, recording the slowest growth rate since March 2012

Amanat invests SAR 200m in Saudi-based healthcare firm

The firm said that its board approved the acquisition of a 35 per cent stake in Sukoon

Moody’s sees UAE property firms’ adoption of IFRS 15 as positive

The new accounting policy will help in appropriately reflecting the companies’ financial performance and increase transparency, a new report says

Dubai mall firm Majid Al Futtaim H1 revenue rises 7%

The privately-owned firm said in a statement revenue for the six months to June 30 was Dhs 13.7bn

Dubai’s Damac Properties Q2 profit surges

The developer reported a net profit of Dhs 1.42bn ($386.6m) for the three months to June 30

Saudi July non-oil business growth recovers from record low – PMI

The seasonally adjusted Emirates NBD Saudi Arabia Purchasing Managers’ Index climbed to 57.7 points last month from 56.1 in June

UAE July non-oil business growth rebounds from 22-month low

The seasonally adjusted Emirates NBD UAE Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to 55.8 points last month from 54.7 in June

Emirates Reit to develop new Dhs 208.3m school in Akoya development

The real estate investment trust fund will build the facility and lease it to Jebel Ali School

Saudi central bank curbs credit card cash withdrawals -source

Previously, customers could obtain cash advances equivalent to as much as 50 per cent of their monthly credit card spending limits

Private equity investments into MENA reach Dhs 1.5bn in 2014

Private equity investments in the Middle East and North Africa rose 118 per cent last year, a new report shows

Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed’s Kingdom Holding posts 13% Q2 profit rise

The firm attributed the profit rise to higher income from its associates and joint ventures and lower costs

Middle East funds turn negative as oil drops again

Only 13 per cent of investment firms expect to raise their equity allocations to the Middle East in the next three months, a survey shows

Abu Dhabi, Dubai exchanges explore possibility of stock futures

The exchanges have established a joint committee which will examine the issue over the next few months

UAE fuel price deregulation to have ‘one-off’ impact on inflation – Stan Chart

The bank has revised its average inflation forecast for 2016 to 4.3 per cent from 4 per cent previously

Dubai regulator fines Arqaam $50,000 over money laundering rules

A periodic risk assessment by authorities identified deficiencies in Arqaam’s systems and controls to prevent money laundering

UAE credit growth expected to be nearly flat in 2015 – Mashreq CEO

He also forecast that the country’s banking sector profits would rise about 10 per cent in 2015

UAE to cut state spending by 4.2% this year – central bank

Consolidated government spending is expected to drop to Dhs 460.6bn in 2015 from Dhs 480.8bn in 2014

Standard Chartered appoints audit head as new UAE chief executive

Group head of internal audit Julian Wynter will replace Mohsin Nathani, who resigned from the bank in April, sources said