Stock News: Dubai Posts Biggest Daily Gain In 10 Weeks On Strong Q1 Results

The Dubai index jumped three per cent, hitting a two-month closing high of 3,942 points.

National Bank Of Oman Q1 Profit Rises 23%, Meets Estimates

The lender made a net profit of OMR12.6 million in the three months to March 31.

Deutsche Bank Fined $8.4m By Dubai Regulator

The regulator penalised Deutsche Bank on finding “serious contraventions” in the lender’s Dubai operations.

Private Equity Firm Abraaj Appoints MENA Investment Head

Huda al-Lawati was previously a managing director at Abraaj, having joined the firm in 2004 as an analyst.

Dubai Islamic Bank Q1 Net Profit Rises 34%, Beats Estimates

The bank made a net profit attributable to shareholders of Dhs816.7 million in the first quarter of 2015.

Oman Cement Q1 Net Profit Rises 3.7%, Beats Forecasts

The company made a net profit of OMR3.83 million ($9.95 million) in the first quarter of 2015.

Saudi Stock Market Tadawul Says 2014 Profit Up 74% On Trading Income

The company made a net profit of SAR265 million in 2014, according to a statement posted on the bourse website.

Saudi Bank NCB Q1 Profit Rises 2.8% On Higher Operating Income

The lender made a net profit of SAR2.61 billion ($696 million) in the first quarter of 2015.

Saudi SAFCO Q1 Net Profit Slumps 30%, Misses Forecasts

It is the seventh quarter in the last eight in which the firm has posted decreasing profits.

Qatar Launches First Chinese Yuan Clearing Hub In Middle East

The centre is expected to facilitate greater cross-border renminbi investment and financing business and boost trade between China and the region.

Dubai’s TECOM Investments Says Completes $1.1bn Loan Upsizing

The firm said in January that the cash would be used to fund the company’s general corporate needs, new developments and growth plans.

Oman’s Bank Muscat Posts 8.9% Rise In Q1 Profit, Beats Forecasts

The bank made a profit of OMR43.3 million ($112.5 million) in the first quarter of 2015.

Swiss Private Bank UBP To Boost ME Operations After Coutts Buy

The Middle East currently accounts for 12 per cent of the bank’s global operations.

Dubai’s Noor Bank May Sell Debut Sukuk After Setting Up $3bn Programme

Noor Bank said its sukuk programme had been arranged by itself as well as Citigroup and Standard Chartered.

Kout Food Joins Delisting Queue In Sagging Kuwait Stock Market

The company’s board said it would ask shareholders to vote on the matter, just a day after Bahrain’s Gulf Finance House said it was considering leaving the Kuwaiti bourse.

National Bank of Kuwait Q1 Net Profit Up 15%, Beats Estimates

Net profit was $319.5 million in the first quarter of 2015, a statement said.

Different Arab money

Mideast Sovereign Funds Cut Outbound Property Purchases 31% In 2014 – CBRE

SWFs cut their international investment last year because of the plunge of oil prices, a report by CBRE said.

Qatari Banks, Southwest Securities Plan Islamic Finance Venture In China

Qatar National Bank and Qatar International Islamic Bank have signed an MoU for the venture.

Ahli United Bank To Issue Tier 1 Bonds, Meet Investors From Thursday

The lender chose Goldman Sachs, HSBC and Morgan Stanley to arrange investor meetings for the bonds.

Saudi British Bank Q1 Net Profit Up 3.2%, Beats Forecasts

The bank, an affiliate of HSBC Holdings, said it made SAR1.12 billion in the three months ending March 31.

Saudi Bank Samba Sees 3.1% Q1 Net Profit Gain

The bank attributed its increase in net profit to higher total operating income.

Majority Of UAE Residents Use Funds From Bonus To Pay Debts, Bills

Emiratis are the most likely to spend their bonus amounts while Indian expats are most likely to invest their bonus payments in a savings scheme, a new survey says.

Bahrain-Based Retailer Jawad Raises $235m Loan

The group is the franchise operator of clothing brand Mango and restaurant chains Papa Johns and Burger King in the Gulf.

UAE Islamic Insurers Considering Mergers

A committee to oversee Islamic insurance is set to be established in the UAE by the end of this year to help standardise the sector.

Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala GE Capital Says No Plans To Change Shareholdings

Mubadala GE Capital was set up in 2009 as a 50:50 venture to invest globally in GE Capital-originated commercial finance assets.

Private Equity House Abraaj Closes $990m Sub-Saharan Africa Fund

The new African fund will focus on well-managed, mid-market firms in sectors most likely to benefit from demand driven by the rapid expansion of the middle class.

Saudi Regulator Lifts Suspension On PetroRabigh shares

Trading in PetroRabigh was suspended by the Capital Market Authority on Sunday after the company did not commit to listing rules.

Bahrain’s GFH Says To Review London, Kuwait Listings

GFH did not give details of what its review would involve or say when it might be completed.

Saudi’s PetroRabigh Says Plans $1.9bn Rights Issue

The company said that it will use the money raised to help fund its expansion.

Bahrain Sovereign Fund Wants To Double Assets Under Management In 7 Years

The fund is seeking targets in Europe and the U.S., and select markets in the Far East, across multiple sectors including logistics and industrials.