Saudi regulator to raise IPO allocations to institutional investors

The Kingdom’s stock market is dominated by retail investors in terms of daily trading volumes.

Dubai’s bourse to add trading-at-last session

The new trading-at-last session will start 20 seconds after 1355, allowing investors to place orders based on the already calculated closing prices of securities.

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank eyes UAE expats as industry growth slows

UAE banking sector revenues rose nearly 14 per cent last year but expansion shows signs of decelerating due to factors including oil price drop and a cooling of real estate markets.

Abu Dhabi’s Gulf Capital says eyes four deals in Egypt

The company aims to hold $5 billion in assets under management by 2018, CEO Karim El Solh said.

UAE banks discuss plan for centralised Islamic finance board

The banks said that it is working closely with the central bank in setting up a Higher Sharia Authority that would complement and oversee the work of individual sharia boards.

Kuwait’s Burgan Bank to consider expanding in UAE, Saudi, Egypt

The bank did not expect to make any acquisitions this year, but said that it would at some later date as a number of foreign banks in the Middle East pulled out.

Oman refinery firm borrows $910m from local, Gulf banks

The money will be used to “meet general corporate requirements and certain projects currently being considered”, the company said.

Gulf banks increase lending footprints in Asia, Africa

Previously Gulf banks largely participated as junior partners in international syndicated loans but that picture is changing gradually.

Kuwait’s Al Ahli Bank buying Egyptian unit of Greece’s Piraeus Bank for $150m

The transaction, which requires approvals from the central banks of Kuwait and Egypt, stands to benefit both lenders.

Dubai’s Amlak Finance shares to resume trade on June 2 after 6-year suspension

Trading in Amlak was halted as credit markets dried up and the emirate’s real estate prices began a near-50 per cent tumble from their peak.

Dubai’s Amanat buys 4.14% stake in Al Noor Hospitals

Amanat was set up to invest in education and healthcare businesses in the UAE and other Gulf states.

Saudi regulator cancels Arabian Contracting float at company request

Last week, approval was issued for the sale of a 30 per cent stake in Arabian Contracting, with the offer set to run between June 10 and 16.

DFSA fines United Investment Bank Limited $56,000

The financial freezone regulator said the bank was guilty of flouting anti-money laundering rules.

Low oil prices slow IPO activity in GCC- PwC

The bearish run of oil prices- a key driver of economic growth in the region- has largely affected the IPO activity.

Emaar says IPO for hospitality unit remains on hold

The Dubai-based company has said that the IPO for EHG will be dependent on the right market conditions.

UAE’s Abraaj Group to invest $30m in Middle East SMEs

The company is investing in a new fund, which aims to address the funding gap for SMEs in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia region.

UAE’s RAKBANK makes offer to buy RAK National Insurance

The bank is looking to buy all or some of the shares of the insurance company at a price of Dhs3.64 a share.

Kuwait Finance House may sell properties, cut small number of jobs

The bank may auction the properties or offer them to be run by other operators, depending on market conditions, an official said.

Dubai Islamic Bank picks arrangers for potential dollar sukuk

DIB has mandated First Gulf Bank, HSBC, Maybank, National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Standard Chartered Bank and itself to arrange the meetings in Asia and Europe.

South Africa’s FirstRand Bank raises $235m via two-year loan in Gulf

The loan was priced at 100 basis points over the London interbank offered rate, with the participation of nine institutions from the GCC.

ICBC Dubai branch narrows price guidance for benchmark 5-yr dollar bond

The deal, rated A1 by Moody’s, has so far attracted orders totalling more than $3.5 billion from investors, a document showed.

Oman’s Bank Nizwa withdraws United Finance merger proposal

Nizwa said in February that it saw the proposed merger as a way to speed up its growth.

ICBC Middle East plans benchmark dollar bond issue

It would be the first bond issue by ICBC through its DIFC branch, underlining the bank’s growing business in the Middle East.

UAE’s Waha Capital to invest up to $1.08bn by 2020

Waha is looking to invest in sectors with high growth potential such as energy, infrastructure, healthcare and education.

Credit Cards Bolster Citigroup In UAE, Bahrain And Poland

Citigroup has experienced growth in credit card acquisitions in the UAE of 2.5 times over the past year, it said.

Saudi Regulator Approves Fourth IPO This Year

Arabian Contracting Services Co will offer investors 16.5 million shares representing 30 per cent of its capital.

Abu Dhabi’s Aldar Q1 Net Profit Rises 36%

The state-linked builder made a profit of Dhs618 million in the three months to March 31.

Saudi Arabia Regulator Refers Mobily Case To Public Prosecution

The Capital Market Authority launched an investigation into the firm in November after Mobily restated a year and a half of its earnings.

Half Of UAE Professionals Unhappy With Their Salaries – Survey

Up to 66 per cent of UAE professionals believe they earn less than what other firms in their industry offer, finds new survey by Bayt.

Saudi Arabia Regulator Suspends Trade In Mobily Shares

The regulator has asked the telecommunications operator to clarify information related to one of its businesses.