UAE Investor Confidence Drops

Investors in the country have become more cautious this year and are adopting long-term strategies, says FPI.

ABC Islamic Bank Nets $8.1mn Profit

ABC Islamic Bank announced a net profit of $8.1 million for 2011, based on lower provisioning.

Buffett Chooses Successor

The billionaire revealed that an unnamed individual had been selected to replace him as the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway.

Investcorp Close To Selling US Mall

The mall is part of a mixed-use development project located in Bellevue, Washington, that Investcorp invested in five years ago.

Nomura To Offer Tadawul Access

The Japanese bank has received approval to offer foreign investors access to Saudi Arabia’s bourse.

DFM Index Books 2011 Losses Of 17%

The Dubai Financial Market, the worst performing Gulf bourse last year, managed a small fourth quarter profit.

US Eyes UAE For Military Aircraft Sale

The UAE has reportedly expressed interest in buying the V-22 Osprey, a tilt-rotor aircraft from the US.

Taqa Raises $215mn From Sukuk Sale

The ten-year Malaysian ringgit-denominated Islamic bond carried a 4.65 per cent profit rate.

Air Arabia 2011 Net Profit Falls 13%

The airline’s net profit for the fourth quarter of 2011 increased by seven per cent year-on-year to reach Dhs78.7 million.

Al Baraka Net Profits Rise

The Bahraini banking group reported a 10 per cent increase in full year net profits for 2011.

Syria’s Banks Facing Turmoil

Unrest in Syria is causing chaos at the country’s banks, which posted bumper profits last year.

Getting The Right Private Banker

Recruiting private bankers in the Gulf is no easy matter. The region has some of the highest staff turnover rates in the world.

Dubai Raises $675mn For Tram Project

The proceeds from the dual-currency loan will be used to fund the first phase of the Al-Sufouh project.

Al Jaber CEO To Be Replaced: Sources

Abu Dhabi-based Al Jaber Group may hire a new CEO as part of a $1 billion restructuring plan, according to sources.

$100mn Boost For Saudi’s Al Raya

Levant Capital and Citi Venture Capital International have acquired a major stake in the Al Raya supermarket chain.

Oman Owes Gulf Air $310mn

The Bahraini carrier said that the sum has been outstanding from the time Oman pulled out of Gulf Air in 2007.

DP World Eyeing $1bn Loan: Sources

The company is reportedly in talks with banks for a loan to repay its $3 billion deal that matures in October.

Abraaj Eyeing Turkey’s Calik

Dubai-based Abraaj Capital is planning to bid for Calik Holding’s media assets, according to sources.

DIFC Looks To Asia For Growth

The financial centre welcomed 56 new companies in 2011 and is eyeing companies from emerging markets.

CME, Oman Fund Raise DME Stake

The cash injection into the Dubai Mercantile Exchange (DME) has diluted the stake of Dubai Holding.

Etisalat May Restructure

The telecoms operator said it is discussing restructuring options as it struggles to stall dropping profits.

QIA Buys Credit Suisse London HQ

Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund acquired the building for an undisclosed sum and has now leased it back to the bank.

ENBD Plans Renminbi Bond Sale

The bank has mandated Emirates NBD Capital, HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank to arrange investor meetings.

Abraaj Acquires Aureos Capital

The transaction is set to create the world’s largest SME focused private equity group.

ME’s Wealthy On The Rise

The region may even top the world in terms of growth of wealthy individuals this year, according to experts.

Gulf Funds Eyeing ONGC Stakes

Sovereign wealth funds from the UAE and Kuwait have reportedly agreed to buy stakes in India’s ONGC.

DIFCI Hires Advisors For $1.25bn Bond

The DIFCI bond is in the spotlight as investors weigh Dubai’s refinancing risks in 2012.

Egypt Signs $3.2 bn IMF loan

Egypt expects to sign the IMF loan next month and will receive one-third of the funds immediately upon signing, said minister.

The Islamic And Conventional War

In the battle for customers during the recession, conventional and Shariah-compliant banks have sharpened their game.

MENA Gains Momentum

The region’s finances are back on track said the London Business School in Dubai.