MENA IPOs in Q2 2024 GettyImages-1317703626

MENA region sees 14 IPOs valued at $2.64bn in Q2 2024

Eight out of the 14 MENA IPOs in Q2 2024 delivered positive returns by the end of June, with Miahona Company achieving the highest gain of 90.4 per cent

Adani Enterprise Ltd Image IHC X

Adani shares in freefall after fresh Hindenburg allegations against Indian regulator

Adani Enterprises is looking to launch a $1bn share sale by mid-September, having shelved a record $2.5bn offer in the wake of Hindenburg’s first set of allegations

Hargreaves Lansdown

ADIA, CVC to buy out UK’s largest investment platform Hargreaves Lansdown in $6.9bn deal

The takeover of the platform has the backing of co-founders and top shareholders Peter Hargreaves and Stephen Lansdown

UAE issues new decree to bolster AML CFT regulatory framework GettyImages

UAE issues new decree-law to bolster AML, CFT regulations

This move is part of the UAE’s ongoing efforts to enhance its legal and regulatory framework in the fight against financial crimes

Gold tops $4,300, set for biggest weekly surge since 2008

UAE temporarily suspends 32 gold refineries for AML/CTF lapses

The ministry of finance said its inspections of the refineries uncovered 256 violations, eight for each refinery

How blockchain lift barriers, unlock growth in Islamic finance

How blockchain can overcome barriers, unlock growth in Islamic finance

The UAE is leading the charge in technological innovation and embracing the digital economy through forward-thinking digital asset regulation

Arab exchanges' market cap crosses $4.17tn in H1, reveals AMF report

Arab exchanges’ market cap crosses $4.17tn in H1, reveals AMF report

Leading the pack is the Saudi Exchange (Tadawul), with a market value of $2.68tn, solidifying its position as the largest in the region

Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi named chairman of rorix holdings image: Supplied

Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi to chair IHC’s Rorix Holdings

The newly formed global trading and trade facilitation company will cover trade finance, consulting, commodities exchange and trade insurance

GCC markets Image: Getty Images - ipo

Most GCC markets extend gains as US recession fear fades

Market watchers called worries of a recession in the US economy “not in line with economic fundamentals”

Abu Dhabi’s ADX, KASE partner to boost cooperation

ADX, Kazakhstan Stock Exchange join forces to boost cooperation

The partnership seeks to advance cross-border trading between the exchanges and expand investment opportunities

EFG Hermes ONE rebrands, unveils new trading platform

EFG Hermes ONE rebrands, unveils new trading platform

Currently available in Egypt and Kuwait, and soon to be launched in the UAE, EFG Hermes ONE grants users access to 35 global markets through OLT

Finastra's Siobhan Byron on addressing financial inclusion, agility

Finastra’s Siobhan Byron on addressing financial inclusion, agility

Siobhan Byron, EVP Universal Banking at Finastra, highlights the role of open ecosystems, cloud, SaaS, and AI in accelerating innovation

Abu Dhabi’s IHC reports 18% jump in first half profit

Abu Dhabi’s IHC reports 18% jump in first half profit

The holding firm’s financial position is backed by its total assets of Dhs362.9bn as of June 30

Hargreaves Lansdown

Hargreaves Lansdown extends deadline for CVC, ADIA consortium to firm up takeover bid

Hargreaves Lansdown said talks with the consortium “remain ongoing”

stock markets

‘Black Monday’ stock rout continues on US markets: S&P 500, Nasdaq crash 3%

All three major indexes registered their biggest three-day percentage declines since June 2022

Japan Nikkei stumbles

Asian stocks trampled as Nikkei crashes 13%

The scale of losses on Japan’s Nikkei had not been seen since the global financial crisis

Bitcoin plunges to multi-month lows on recession fears

Bitcoin, ether sink to multi-month lows as recession worries take hold

Crypto markets have benefited this year after the US regulators approved an exchange-traded fund

Gold

Gold’s run to record high may crimp demand: Insight

The combination of bearish and bullish factors for gold may end up having the effect of keeping the price in a relatively narrow range for the rest of the year

How vital is ESG in insurers’ sustainability reporting

Here’s why ESG is crucial for insurers’ sustainability reporting

Insurers face significant challenges related to climate change, impacting both value creation and emissions reporting

How neobanks are transforming GCC’s banking landscape

How neobanks are transforming GCC’s banking landscape

With a focus on innovation, user experience and financial inclusion, neobanks are rapidly gaining traction and challenging traditional banking models

Wio Bank’s CEO on banking in an era of evolving consumer needs

Wio Bank’s CEO on banking in an era of evolving consumer needs

Jayesh Patel says that the belief that neobanks struggle with profitability is a misconception while noting that digital banks can be profitable with a defined business objectives

GCC sovereign funds dealmaking at 15-year high

How GCC sovereign funds are conquering global markets

State investors accounted for 54 per cent of the $96bn deployed by sovereign funds – the highest rate since 2009

UAE central bank fines local bank Dhs5.8m for AML lapses

UAE central bank fines local bank Dhs5.8m for AML lapses

The central bank imposed the hefty fine after an examination found deficiencies in the bank’s AML/CFT policies and procedures

US Treasuries - stocks

US stocks stumble on Wall Street over recession worries

A manufacturing report spooked investors, sparking broad risk-off moves across markets

Inaugural 24 Fintech - mozn

Inaugural ’24 Fintech’ edition to host global finance industry leaders

24 Fintech is closely aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 which positions the industry as a crucial element in achieving economic transformation

PIF signs 6 MoUs with financial institutions

Saudi’s PIF inks MoUs worth $50bn with financial entities

PIF signed the MoUs with key Chinese financial institutions, including the Agricultural Bank of China and Bank of China

Alpha dhabi reports H1 2024 results Image courtesy WAM

Alpha Dhabi reports Dhs6.7bn in net profit for H1 2024

Despite a decrease in total gains to Dhs2bn, attributed to the de-recognition of PureHealth in 2023 and the adoption of corporate tax in the UAE, the group’s overall net profit remained strong

MNT-Halan’s Turkish deal to help expand consumer credit

Egypt’s MNT-Halan says Turkish acquisition to help expand consumer credit, factoring

Tam Finans operates through a network of 39 branches and has more than 40 per cent of the Turkish micro-leasing market

CBUAE banks savings deposits

CBUAE keeps rates constant, follows US Fed cue

The policy decision follows the US Federal Reserve’s announcement to keep interest rates unchanged

National Pulse invests in fintech firm Aleta Planet

UAE’s National Pulse invests in Singapore’s fintech firm Aleta Planet

The investment will pave the way for the payments firm’s expansion into the UAE, Middle East and Africa