Stock News: Banks Support Qatar, Most Markets Edge Up

Qatar’s benchmark rose 0.6 per cent, led by Islamic lender Masraf Al Rayan and Qatar National Bank

Stock News: Arabtec Speculation Lifts Dubai

Shares in Dubai builder Arabtec rose as speculation grew about the sale of the stake owned by former CEO Hasan Ismaik.

Stock News: Conservative Ownership Rules May Slow Saudi Uptrend

The Capital Market Authority proposed limiting total foreign ownership of the market’s value to 10 per cent.

Saudi Regulator Proposes 10% Cap On Foreign Ownership Of Stock Market

The Capital Market Authority isaid last month that it would open the market in the first half of next year.

Dubai’s Atlantis, The Palm Set To Refinance $880 Million Loan

Despite a more bullish market in the UAE it is unclear whether Atlantis would be able to reprice its loan as easily as expected.

UAE Central Bank Says StanChart Can Face Legal Action

The bank had agreed to close some customers’ UAE accounts in an anti-money laundering settlement with US regulators announced on Tuesday

Kuwait’s Khorafis Win Dubai Judgement Vs Bank Sarasin

No figure for compensation was set but the family has been claiming over $26.5 million.

Nakheel Repays All Dhs7.9bn Bank Debt Four Years Early

The state-controlled developer will repay 31 banks Dhs5.54 billion on Thursday, it said.

Jeff Singer Resigns As CEO Of Dubai Financial Zone Authority

Singer was appointed CEO in July 2012, after four years as CEO of the Nasdaq Dubai bourse.

Standard Chartered PE Invests $75m In Gulf’s Topaz Energy

Standard Chartered Private Equity will inject the equity in return for a 9.8 per cent stake in the business.

Dubai Duty Free Reprices $1.75bn Loan For Second Time

The six-year loan, originally signed in July 2012, was split between dirham- and U.S. dollar-denominated tranches.

National Bank Of Kuwait Appoints Nasser Al-Sayer Chairman

He succeeds Mohammed Abdulrahman al-Bahar, who died earlier this month.

Dubai Creates New Fund Class To Lure Asset Managers

The qualified investor funds (QIFs) can be offered only to experienced professional investors and require less regulation.

Saudi’s Savola Says Had Initial Talks With Americana Shareholder

Kuwait’s Americana issued a statement earlier this week saying it had no knowledge of any talks with Savola on a possible acquisition.

UAE’s NMC Health Lifts Profit 27% On Higher Occupancy

Outpatient numbers grew by nearly 14 per cent and in-patient numbers by 12 per cent during the first half of the year.

Saudis To Impose 20% Foreign Ownership Limit On Stocks

The Kingdom’s bourse is expected to open to direct investment by foreign institutions in the first half of next year.

Stock News: Saudi Arabia The Main Attraction Amid Summer Lull

The Kingdom’s benchmark rose for the 13th time in 15 sessions on Sunday to reach a new six-year peak.

MSCI Lifts Weights Of Some Qatar Stocks On Foreign Ownership Reform

Qatar National Bank will have its foreign inclusion factor raised to 0.13 from 0.06, Industries Qatar to 0.13 from 0.06, and Qatar Islamic Bank to 0.25 from 0.21.

Qatar’s Mesaieed Says Will Not Be Added To MSCI Index

Mesaieed’s shares rose five per cent to a five-month high on Thursday after MSCI’s initial statement last week.

UK To Soon Decide Whether To Charge Ex-Barclays Bankers Over Qatar

The bank is accused of making undisclosed payments to investor Qatar Holdings in 2008.

Bahraini Bank ABC Upsizes Loan Facility To $750m

Funds from the loan will be used for general corporate lending purposes, it said.

Qatar’s Mesaieed Surges After MSCI Adds Stock To All-Country World Index

The company’s shares jumped as much as 10 per cent – their daily limit – in early trade.

Emaar Says No Decision Yet On Timing Of Malls Unit IPO

The listing is expected to raise Dhs8-Dhs9 billion, making it one of the region’s largest equity offers since 2008.

DIFC Investments Plans Sukuk Issue

Sources suggested that the new sukuk, if successful, would be used to refinance a $1 billion syndicated loan taken in May 2012.

Unexpected Drop In Eurozone Output Clouds Recovery Hopes

High unemployment, sluggish reforms and conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza and Iraq are holding back the region.

Saudi’s Savola Says Started Initial Talks On Acquiring Kuwait’s Americana

Savola said in a bourse filing that talks have not yet reached a stage that would require disclosure.

Kuwait Finance House Says Waits For Regulatory Approval On New CEO Hire

KFH, whose former chief executive Mohammed al-Omar retired in May, did not say when it expected the regulator to respond.

TAQA Ends Talks To Buy 50% Stake In Iraqi Kurdistan Power Plant

The Abu Dhabi-owned oil explorer and power supplier said that the project does not match the company’s growth strategy.

Ras Al Khaimah Sounds Out Banks For Syndicated Loan

The emirate also sent out requests for proposals for an Islamic bond deal in June.

Abu Dhabi’s TAQA Swings To Q2 Profit On Record Oil Production

TAQA reported a net profit of Dhs239 million ($65.1 million) for the second quarter compared with a loss of Dhs172 million a year earlier.