Low oil prices slow IPO activity in GCC- PwC

The bearish run of oil prices- a key driver of economic growth in the region- has largely affected the IPO activity.

Emaar says IPO for hospitality unit remains on hold

The Dubai-based company has said that the IPO for EHG will be dependent on the right market conditions.

UAE’s Abraaj Group to invest $30m in Middle East SMEs

The company is investing in a new fund, which aims to address the funding gap for SMEs in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia region.

UAE’s RAKBANK makes offer to buy RAK National Insurance

The bank is looking to buy all or some of the shares of the insurance company at a price of Dhs3.64 a share.

Kuwait Finance House may sell properties, cut small number of jobs

The bank may auction the properties or offer them to be run by other operators, depending on market conditions, an official said.

Dubai Islamic Bank picks arrangers for potential dollar sukuk

DIB has mandated First Gulf Bank, HSBC, Maybank, National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Standard Chartered Bank and itself to arrange the meetings in Asia and Europe.

South Africa’s FirstRand Bank raises $235m via two-year loan in Gulf

The loan was priced at 100 basis points over the London interbank offered rate, with the participation of nine institutions from the GCC.

ICBC Dubai branch narrows price guidance for benchmark 5-yr dollar bond

The deal, rated A1 by Moody’s, has so far attracted orders totalling more than $3.5 billion from investors, a document showed.

Oman’s Bank Nizwa withdraws United Finance merger proposal

Nizwa said in February that it saw the proposed merger as a way to speed up its growth.

ICBC Middle East plans benchmark dollar bond issue

It would be the first bond issue by ICBC through its DIFC branch, underlining the bank’s growing business in the Middle East.

UAE’s Waha Capital to invest up to $1.08bn by 2020

Waha is looking to invest in sectors with high growth potential such as energy, infrastructure, healthcare and education.

Credit Cards Bolster Citigroup In UAE, Bahrain And Poland

Citigroup has experienced growth in credit card acquisitions in the UAE of 2.5 times over the past year, it said.

Saudi Regulator Approves Fourth IPO This Year

Arabian Contracting Services Co will offer investors 16.5 million shares representing 30 per cent of its capital.

Abu Dhabi’s Aldar Q1 Net Profit Rises 36%

The state-linked builder made a profit of Dhs618 million in the three months to March 31.

Saudi Arabia Regulator Refers Mobily Case To Public Prosecution

The Capital Market Authority launched an investigation into the firm in November after Mobily restated a year and a half of its earnings.

Half Of UAE Professionals Unhappy With Their Salaries – Survey

Up to 66 per cent of UAE professionals believe they earn less than what other firms in their industry offer, finds new survey by Bayt.

Saudi Arabia Regulator Suspends Trade In Mobily Shares

The regulator has asked the telecommunications operator to clarify information related to one of its businesses.

Dubai’s DP World Launches $500m, Five Year Bond

The transaction has received orders of seven times its size, an earlier document showed.

Bahrain’s Ahli United Bank Q1 Net Profit Rises 7.8%

The bank’s net profit for the three months to March 31 was $147.18 million.

Saudi Market Regulator Studying REIT Listing Rules

If introduced in the Kingdom, REITs would offer tax benefits, especially for foreign investors.

Oman Plans Private Placement For Debut OMR200m Sukuk

The committee arranging the issue said it had received in-principle regulatory approval and was now in advanced stages of structuring and documentation.

Saudi’s Alkhabeer Capital Targets Islamic Endowment Business

The firm has launched an advisory service for structuring and managing the assets of the Islamic charitable foundations known as awqaf.

Dubai’s DP World Expected To Issue $500m Five-Year Bond

Barclays, Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, Emirates NBD Capital, HSBC, National Bank of Abu Dhabi and Societe Generale are arrangers for the bond issue.

National Bank Of Oman Says Plans Tier 1, Tier 2 Instruments

The bank’s board has approved the issuance of a Tier 2 instrument worth up to $900 million and a $300 million Tier 1 capital increase.

Top Egypt Medical Firm Sees London IPO 11 Times Oversubscribed

Integrated Diagnostics Holdings priced its offering of 65.2 million shares at an $4.45 per ordinary share.

Bahrain’s Al Baraka Q1 Net Attributable Profit Rises 9%

The bank made a net profit attributable to equity holders of $40 million in the three months ending March 31.

Different Arab money

With Oil Prices Low, GCC States Agree To Push Value-Added Tax Plan

However, officials did not give any time frame for VAT to be introduced or specify the likely tax rate.

CEO of Saudi’s Al Rajhi Bank Resigns, New Head Appointed

Steve Bertamini has been appointed chief executive effective from May 18, the lender said in a bourse statement.

MSCI To Launch Saudi Arabia, GCC Indexes On June 1

So far, MSCI only had provisional indexes covering the $570 billion Saudi stock market, which is set to open to foreign investors in June.

EFS Facilities Services Plans Dubai Listing For UAE Unit – CEO

Capital raised from the IPO will be used to expand the company’s waste management and mass accommodation services for workers on construction projects.