QFC Authority Appoints Sheikh Salman Bin Hassan Al-Thani CFO

QFC Authority said Al-Thani would help it strengthen its business environment for domestic and foreign firms.

Saudi Cement Beats Estimates Despite 6.2% Q2 Net Profit Drop

The firm made a net profit of SAR288 million ($76.8 million) in the second quarter, compared with SAR307 million in the corresponding period of 2013.

Citi To Pay $7bn To Settle Securities Investigation

The settlement, signed over the weekend, caps months of negotiations.

Qatar Islamic Bank Q2 Net Profit Gains 15%, Beats Estimates

The Islamic lender made a net profit of $107 million during the three months to June 30.

UAE’s Abraaj Group Buys Stake In Tunisian Hospital

Abraaj’s investment will help increase patient capacity, add new services and ramp up human resource training in the hospital.

Private Banks Not First Choice For Wealthy – StanChart Report

The majority of high net worth business owners prefer consulting lawyers and accountants over their private banks for planning their wealth transfer to their successors, a new study finds.

Saudi’s Yansab Misses Forecast As Q2 Net Profit Slips 8.6%

The firm made a net profit of SAR613 million ($163.5 million) in the second quarter compared with SAR670.5 million in the same period of 2013.

Qatar’s Masraf Al Rayan Sells Real Estate Firm Stake To Govt Fund

The Qatari lender said it had agreed to sell its 50 per cent stake in Seef Lusail Real Estate Development.

Dubai’s New Mega Projects Could Create Boom-Bust Cycle – Report

Policymaking complacency and the launch of larges scale projects such as Mall of the World could lead to property bubble, finds report by the Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Saudi Lender NCB Posts 22% Q2 Net Profit Jump

NCB said the growth was driven by an 8.3 per cent year-on-year increase in net special commissions income.

Saudi Conglomerate Olayan Buys 51% Stake In Gulf Union Foods Co

The stake was acquired from a group of investors including private equity firm Jadwa Investment.

Abraaj Investment Management Makes Bid Approach To Egypt’s Bisco Misr

The affiliate of Abraaj Capital is seeking to buy at least a 51 per cent stake in the Egyptian snack maker.

Gulf Capital Invests $30m In GCC School Operator EKI

The investment is expected to help Evolvence Knowledge Investments Limited (EKI) to expand its offerings in the region.

Saudi Lender Samba Beats Estimates with 7% Q2 Net Profit Rise

The bank made SAR1.26 billion ($336 million) in the three months ending June 30, compared with SAR1.18 billion in the same period a year earlier.

Saudi Sipchem Q2 Net Profit Jumps 41%; Sales, Margins Rise

Sipchem made a profit of SAR244.6 million ($65.3 million) in the three months to June 30, up from SAR174.0 million in the prior-year period.

Oman’s Bank Dhofar Q2 Net Profit Rises 23%, Meets Expectations

The bank made a profit of SAR10.28 million ($26.7 million) in the three-month period to June 30 compared to SAR8.36 million in the same period last year.

Saudi’s Al Rajhi Bank Q2 Net Profit Slips 8.2%; Matching Forecast

The bank said it made SAR1.95 billion ($520 million) in the three months ending June 30, compared with SAR2.12 billion in the same period a year earlier.

Abu Dhabi’s Aldar Properties Appoints CEO

Al Mubarak had been serving as the deputy chief executive and chief portfolio management officer of the company since shareholders approved the merger in March 2013.

Investcorp To Buy Dutch Company In $327m Deal

The acquisition, Investcorp’s fifth in 12 months, is expected to close following competition clearances.

UAE Bourses Merger Shelved As Terms Not Agreed -Sources

The sources said it was unclear whether the merger plans were permanently on hold or whether they would be revived later.

Qatar Cuts Stake In London Stock Exchange By A Third

Qatar sold the shares at 1,915 pence each as part of its portfolio management, a source said.

India’s New Budget Targets Growth, Jobs

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also raised limits on foreign investment in defence and insurance ventures to 49 per cent from 26 per cent.

Qatar Slashes Stake In London Stock Exchange Group

Qatar Holding is set to slash its 15 per cent stake in the owner of the London Stock Exchange by a third.

Dubai’s Gulf Navigation Cuts Capital, Eyes New Expansion

Dubai’s only listed crude oil shipper said it had written off accumulated losses worth Dhs1.1 billion.

Banque Saudi Fransi Hikes First-Half Dividend

The proposed figure is above the SAR0.3 per share which the bank paid for the corresponding period of 2013.

Nakheel’s First Half Net Profit Up 54% To Dhs1.85bn

Strong revenue from property development along with improving performance in Nakheel’s retail, leasing and leisure businesses contributed to these results, the company said.

Dubai Holding Chief Says Company Needs $6.8bn To Build New Mega-Mall

Dubai recently announced plans to build the “Mall of the World”, including the world’s largest mall, a theme park and 100 hotels and serviced apartments.

Dubai’s DGCX Considering Spot Silver Contract

The spot silver contract will follow the launch of the first spot gold contract by the DMCC.

Sharjah Plans Debut Sukuk -Bankers

The sovereign is rumoured to have appointed banks to manage the transaction and could launch the deal as early as September, the bankers said.

Qatar National Bank Q2 Net Profit Edges Up, Beats Estimates

The bank made a net profit of QAR2.7 billion ($741.7 million) in the second quarter of 2014.