National Bank Of Oman Q3 Profit Rises, Beats Forecasts

The lender made a net profit of OMR14.1 million in the three months to Sept. 30.

Stock News: Gulf Markets Pull Back Again On Weak Global Lead

Dubai’s bourse dropped 1.2 per cent as most stocks pulled back while heavyweights such as Emaar Properties and Arabtec Holding fell slightly.

Oman’s Bank Sohar Scraps Convertible Bond, Plans OMR40m Rights Issue

The lender said that its board had decided against issuing the convertible “due to uncertainty regarding its eligibility as an additional Tier 1 instrument”.

UAE Economy Ministry Says Falling Oil Prices Won’t Hurt 2014 GDP

The official said that the fall in oil prices will not deeply impact UAE’s GDP growth since the country is economically diversified with oil accounting for less than 30 per cent of the GDP.

Saudi Hollandi Bank Meets Expectations With 6.6% Q3 Profit Gain

The lender said it made SAR461.8 million ($123.1 million) in the three months to September 30 compared with SAR433.3 million in the corresponding quarter of 2013.

Oman’s Raysut Cement Posts 17.8% Q3 Net Profit Increase

The company made OMR5.3 million ($13.8 million) in the three months to Sept. 30, compared with OMR4.5 million in the corresponding period of last year.

Oman Cement Q3 Net Profit Drops 39.5%

The cement producer made a net profit after tax of OMR2.3 million ($6.0 million) in the three months to Sept. 30, compared with OMR3.8 million in the corresponding period of 2013.

Banque Saudi Fransi Q3 Net Profit Jumps 35%

The bank said it made SAR926 million ($246.9 million) in the three months ending September 30, compared with SAR685 million in the same period a year earlier.

Commercial Bank Of Kuwait To Sell KD120m Bond

The bond will have a ten-year lifespan, with an option for the issuer to redeem it after the fifth year, and will be priced at 2.25 per cent over the central bank of Kuwait’s discount rate.

IMF Launches Consultations On Islamic Finance

The nine-member external advisory group includes industry bodies such as the Bahrain-based Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions.

UAE Govt Approves Higher Federal Spending For 2015

The projected federal spending of Dhs49.1 billion is up from Dhs46 billion in the original budget for 2014.

Kuwait’s Agility Says Unit Wins $82.5m British Defence Ministry Contract

The contract, secured by Agility Defense and Government Services, will run from October 2014 to April 2016, the company said in a statement.

Qatar National Bank Q3 Net Profit Jumps 21%

In a statement, the bank said its net profit for the first nine months of 2014 was 8 billion riyals.

Saudi, UAE Stocks Fall Sharply On Global Cues

Markets fell globally after a raft of weak indicators from Europe and China collided with concerns about the U.S. Federal Reserve’s plans to reduce monetary stimulus.

Stock News: Saudi Arabia Shares Tumble, Dubai Extends Drop

Dubai plunged 6.7 per cent, Abu Dhabi slid 2.1 per cent and Qatar dropped 2.7 per cent.

Saudi Arabia’s Almarai Q3 Profit Rises 13.4%

Almarai made a profit of SAR539.4 million ($143.8 million) in the three months to Sept. 30, up from SAR475.6 million in the year-earlier period

World Economies Warn Of Global Risks, Call For Bold Action

The IMF has flagged Europe as the top concern, a sentiment echoed by many policymakers, economists and investors gathered in Washington for the Fund’s fall meetings.

Stock News: Dubai Rebounds In Line With Global Markets

Markets across the region fell on Wednesday as global equities came under pressure from worries about economic growth.

IMF Cuts Middle East Growth Forecasts On Global Trends, Unrest

In 2015, growth in the region is expected to accelerate to 3.9 per cent – but that is 0.9 percentage point slower than the IMF’s July forecast.

Nakheel Posts 47% Net Profit Rise For First Nine Months Of 2014

The developer reported a net profit of Dhs2.6 billion, aided by strong growth in its retail and leasing businesses.

UAE’s Gulf Capital Invests $25m In Egypt’s Amak Petroleum

The investment is expected to help Amak, a firm specialising in providing petroleum services, to fund its growth plans.

Abraaj Group Buys Majority Stake In South Africa’s Libstar

Libstar operates across South Africa through manufacturing, supply and distribution and employs about 4,200 people.

Bahrain Bourse Preparing Islamic Product Range – CEO

The bourse plans to launch a novel equity-based murabaha financing tool and Islamic real estate investment trusts.

Oman Sets Up Central Sharia Board To Boost Islamic Finance

The central bank appointed five members to its sharia board, which will have direct oversight of Islamic banking institutions.

Stock News: Emaar Properties Lifts Dubai On Fresh IPO Plans

Shares in Emaar, the market’s second most heavily traded stock on Tuesday, jumped 3.1 per cent to Dhs11.50.

Abu Dhabi’s ADWEA And GDF Suez Close $1.5bn Mirfa IWPP Financing

The Mirfa IWPP was financed through a mix of bank debt and equity from the shareholders, a statement from ADWEA said.

Abu Dhabi’s ADS Securities Eyes Investment Banking, Asset Management

The firm announced it had completed the acquisition of 100 per cent of London-based Pioneer Trader Ltd.

Stock News: Emaar Lifts Dubai After Announcing Fresh IPO Plans

Shares in Emaar rose 1.4 per cent to Dhs11.35 and were the main support for Dubai’s index, which added 0.4 per cent.

UAE Business Activity Growth Falls To 4-Month Low In September

UAE firms saw output growth accelerate to a three-month high of 63.2 points in September from 62.2 points in August but new orders growth dropped to 64.0 points.

Saudi September Non-Oil Business Growth Fastest In Over 3 Years

The SABB HSBC Saudi Arabia Purchasing Managers’ Index climbed to a seasonally adjusted 61.8 points in September, its highest level since June 2011.