Fitch says sukuk pricing remains similar to bonds in H1 2023

Sukuk pricing remains similar to bonds in H1 2023

Sukuk and bonds had a high pricing correlation of 0.95 (out of 1) on average and low average spreads between 2018 and H1 2023

IHC’s half-year net profit surges to $2.8bn

Abu Dhabi’s IHC posts $2.8bn in half-year profit

The conglomerate said its revenues surged by 30.8 per cent year-on-year to Dhs28.7bn as the company sustains its growth trajectory

Oman's OIA

Oman Investment Authority’s assets hit $46.6bn in 2022

The country’s sovereign wealth fund said its return on investment last year touched 8.8 per cent, which allowed it to contribute substantially to support the general budget

US Fed

US credit rating downgraded from AAA by Fitch

The US is now rated AA+ by Fitch, one step below AAA, and the assessor has a stable outlook on the country

CBI CEO

CBI net profit increases by 44% in H1 2023

CBI reported a net profit increase from Dhs55m in H1 2022 to Dhs79m in H1 2023

stocks

Saudi stocks are performing well helping EM fund managers beat peers

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 programme to transform the kingdom is a key support to the Saudi stock market

HSBC form JV with fintech Tradeshift image Getty Images

HSBC announces new JV with fintech Tradeshift

The deal will see HSBC make a $35m investment into Tradeshift in two stages and also join its board

DIFC

DIFC’s H1 results show 23% rise in companies joining financial centre

The financial centre saw a steady growth in the number of financially regulated firms establishing their base at DIFC

stock markets

Citigroup sees strong Middle East IPO pipeline running into 2024

IPOs in the Middle East have fetched $5.1bn so far this year, exceeding volumes seen during the same period in nine of the last 10 years

arab monetary fund extends loan to Egypt

Egypt gets $616m loan from Arab Monetary Fund

The agreement is aimed at bettering the payment-systems infrastructure, financial inclusion and regulatory framework in Egypt

UAE money laundering prosecution office

UAE approves proposal to establish money laundering prosecution offices

The offices will overlook corporate crimes, bankruptcy, regulation of competition, financial markets, intellectual property and trademarks, and customs evasion crimes

UAE MoF announces penalties for Corporate tax violations -Photo-courtesy WAM

UAE announces penalties for corporate tax violations

Under Cabinet Decision No (75) of 2023, penalties will be imposed on taxable persons who do not comply with the UAE corporate tax law effective from August 1

Jio Blackrock

Mukesh Ambani, BlackRock to launch new Indian venture

Jio Financial Services and BlackRock signed an agreement to form Jio BlackRock, an equal joint venture

DFM’s H1 2023 profit jumps 77% to Dhs112.2m

Dubai Financial Market reports Dhs112.2m half-year profit, up 77%

The DFM General Index posted impressive growth of 14 per cent, closing at 3,972 points while market capitalisation soared to Dhs652bn

GCC stock markets are hitting record highs

GCC stock markets are hitting record highs. Here’s why

After a strong performance last year, the GCC region is set to see more activity in its capital markets in the medium term

DIFC innovation Hub launches FinTech Accelerator Programme 2023 Image Dubai Media Office DIFC

DIFC Innovation Hub kicks off FinTech Accelerator Programme 2023

A total of 20 startups will be onboarded during the ninth edition of the programmen

GCC central banks raise interest rates tracking US Fed move

GCC central banks raise interest rates in lockstep with the US Fed

GCC central banks normally change their interest rates in lockstep with the US Fed as Gulf countries’ currencies are pegged to the dollar

DIB’s quarterly net profit jumps by 15% to $844m

DIB’s Q2 net profit surges to $844m on higher revenue

The Shariah-compliant bank’s total income reached Dhs9.3bn during the quarter, up 49 per cent from Dhs6.22bn the same period a year ago

SNB’s Q2 2023 net profit up 9% to $1.33bn

SNB’s Q2 net profit up 9% to $1.33bn

The bank’s net profit surged by 9 per cent to reach $1.33bn (SAR5bn) in the three months to June 30

Gautam adani

Bain to buy majority stake in Adani Capital, Adani Housing

The sale of Adani Capital will help Gautam Adani cut liabilities on his conglomerate’s balance sheet as it focuses on its infrastructure development businesses

Rawabi Energy concludes one of the Largest Private Sector Syndicated Financing Image Rawabi Energy

Saudi Arabia’s Rawabi Energy concludes SAR7.175bn syndicated financing

The lending group also included First Abu Dhabi Bank acting as lead arranger

US Treasuries - stocks

Here are the Asia bank earnings to watch after Wall Street results fuel optimism

Wall Street behemoths such as Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan Chase, and Citigroup beat analysts’ expectations in the second quarter, sparking anticipation about a similar upswing in Asia

FAB’s quarterly profit up 61% on higher rates

FAB’s quarterly profit up 61% on higher rates

The banking group’s operating income reached Dhs6.8bn in Q2 2023, a 37 per cent YoY increase from the same period a year earlier

ADCB

ADCB’s Q2 2023 net profit jumps 23% to Dhs1.93bn

The bank said its strong performance was driven by broad-based income growth and improved efficiency metrics

DFM

HSBC acts as custodian for debut DFM securities lending transaction

The execution of the first international securities lending and borrowing transaction is the latest step in the continued evolution of Dubai’s capital markets

Fluent Finance opens Abu Dhabi office

Fluent Finance opens Abu Dhabi office to advance trade finance

The blockchain firm said its new UAE entity will focus on deposit token infrastructure to promote cost-effective and borderless trade finance

dr sultan ahmed al jaber chairman masdar

UAE’s Masdar successfully issues first $750m 10-year green bond

Proceeds from the bond offerings will be deployed towards projects in the renewables sector, namely solar, wind, renewable power transmission and distribution infrastructure, and battery storage assets

AI in ESG

How can AI expose ‘very real’ ESG risks?

Artificial intelligence tools are gaining traction as demand to analyse huge amounts of data grows in the field of ESG risk analysis