Stock News: Gulf Markets Mixed In Thin Trade

Dubai’s stock index edged up 0.5 per cent in relatively thin trade while Abu Dhabi’s bourse was up 1.6 per cent.

Bank Muscat Sells Oman Brokerage Business To Gulf Baader

The decision to sell the business was due to the bank’s review of “strategic alternatives and operational priorities”, a statement said.

Abraaj Pulls Out Of Bidding For Egypt’s Bisco Misr

Abraaj did not give a reason for its withdrawal from the bidding process, but said the orderly and transparent process had underlined growing investor interest in Egypt.

Saudi Takween To Buy Savola Packaging Unit For SAR910m

The purchase will be financed through a syndicate of Saudi banks, to be announced later and conditional on Takween shareholders’ approval, a statement said.

Oman To Announce 2015 State Budget On Thursday

Oman has been considering a range of spending cuts and tax rises, including a levy on the remittances of foreign workers.

Dubai Shares Drop Most In World As Gulf Markets Slump On Oil

The DFM General Index tumbled 5.4 per cent, the steepest retreat since December 16.

Kuwait’s CBK Cuts Stake In Boubyan Bank To 17.7%

The identity of the buyer of CBK’s holding in Boubyan was not immediately clear.

Qatar Says Holders Of 32% Of Songbird’s Free Float Support Bid

Songbird’s management earlier this month said an offer from Qatar undervalued the London based-developer.

Saudi Arabia Denies Rumours About Public Wage Cuts

Unnamed government official denies comments on social media about the government mulling a reduction in public expenditure.

Saudi’s Riyad Bank Recommends H2 2014 Dividend

The bank said that it will give a dividend of 35 halalas per share, down from 80 halalas from the same period last year.

Stock News: Gulf Markets Drop As Oil Hits Fresh Lows

Dubai’s index tumbled 5.0 per cent as most stocks declined.

Ajman Ruler Approves Increased Spending In 2015 Budget

The 2015 budget is around 23.44 per cent larger than the previous year, a senior official said in a statement.

Prince Alwaleed’s Kingdom Holding Sells Mövenpick Hotel Bur Dubai

The firm sold off its 100 per cent stake in the hotel to a UAE-based investment firm for $95 million.

Stock News: Gulf Markets Mixed, Saudi Petchems Rise As Oil Edges Up

Dubai’s index fell 0.7 per cent after jumping 2.6 percent on Sunday.

Kuwait’s Al Ahli Bank’s Chairman Resigns Due To Ill Health

Deputy chairman Talal Mohamed Reda Yousef Behbehani will take over the position of chairman for the bank.

Saudi 2015 Budget Based On Oil Price Around $60 – Analysts

For the 2015 budget, announced on Thursday, four analysts’ oil price estimates are in a range of $55 to $63.

Bisco Misr Takeover Bid Deadline Extended Until January 11

UAE-based private equity firm Abraaj has been battling Kellogg since last month, when the U.S. group scuppered its deal to snap up Bisco Misr.

Dubai Investments Sees $2.7bn Of Property Projects

Dubai Investments is seeking to profit from a market recovery in the emirate after one of the world’s worst property crashes during the financial crisis in 2008.

Saudi Arabia Said To Plan Bourse Opening To Foreigners In April

An official said that the regulator continues to expect the market to open to foreign investors in the first half of next year, though no specific date has been set.

Saudi Samba Financial Group Proposes H2 Dividend

The proposed figure is marginally higher than the SAR0.64 per share which the bank paid for the corresponding period of 2013.

Saudi Finance Minister Says No Need To Create Sovereign Wealth Fund

At present, the surplus petrodollars of the world’s top oil exporter are mostly invested abroad by its central bank.

Saudi Ministry To Discuss Deficit Financing With Central Bank

A ministry statement said the government could cover the deficit with its huge fiscal reserves, but Alassaf told media that borrowing might also be used.

Saudi Finance Minister Says Can Endure Low Oil Prices Over Medium Term

Alassaf said everybody expected prices to rise eventually but there was a difference over when.

HSBC Sees Bonds Gaining On Loans As Oil Curbs Cash

Bank liquidity may be affected by oil prices, says HBSC debt-capital markets head for MENA.

Saudi Arabia Plans To Raise Spending In 2015 Budget

The stock market rose in the minutes after the announcement, trading 0.9 per cent higher.

Kellogg Ups Bid In Battle With UAE’s Abraaj For Bisco Misr

Kellogg’s latest bid, for 89.86 Egyptian pounds ($12.57) per share, followed an offer earlier by Abraaj for 88.09 pounds.

NRIs Save Much More Than Other Expats In The UAE

A majority of UAE’s non-resident Indians save to support their children and parents, a new study showed.

Etihad Completes Alitalia Purchase

The deal is expected to give Etihad greater access to the fourth largest travel market in Europe.

UAE Central Bank Says To Study Margin Lending In Stock Market

In a brief statement describing discussions at the board meeting, the central bank did not elaborate on how the study would be conducted.

Stock News: Gulf Markets Edge Up In Early Trade; Real Estate Strong

Dubai’s main index was up 2.2 per cent at 3,802 points with property stocks dominating trade.