Saxo Bank Launches Social Trading Website

The Danish bank hopes the new platform will ‘transform trading into a social experience’.

Bahrain’s Mumtalakat Eyes New Investments As Portfolio Improves

The Bahraini wealth fund’s finances were hit by losses at struggling national carrier Gulf Air.

Kuwait Wealth Fund Favours Infrastructure Sector In West

The KIA is estimated to have around $386 billion under management.

Dubai Confirms Final Deal On $10bn Debt Restructuring

Lenders agreed to restructure about $6 billion of bank facilities while $4 billion will be repaid after bank creditors are satisfied.

BRIC Or MINT? Investors Suffer Acronym Anxiety

Former Goldman Sachs economist Jim O’Neill created the ‘BRIC’ family in 2001.

How To Have A Successful Meeting

Hazel Carter-Showell, founding director of CarterCorson, a UK based firm of business psychologists, says don’t be afraid to stand out in a meeting.

Egypt Will Return $3bn To Qatar This Year

Qatar, a firm backer of Mohamed Mursi, lent or gave Egypt $7.5 billion during the year the Islamist was president.

UAE’s CBI Seeks Shareholder Nod For $300m Rights Issue

The lender, 40 per cent owned by Qatar National Bank, is aiming to raise Dhs1.1 billion through the issuance of 787.9 million shares.

UAE Sets Rules For Covered Warrants

The conditions include a licensing regime for issuers of covered warrants and disclosure requirements.

National Bank Of Fujairah’s Net Profit Rises 28.6% In 2013

The bank’s profit rose for a fourth consecutive year, owing to its robust business performance.

Saudi Binladin’s Construction Products Arm Plans IPO This Year

The IPO listing is expected to take place before June this year, according to the company’s CEO.

UAE Banks Warned To Help Write Off Citizens’ Debts

Under the Debts Settlement Fund initivate, banks are required to waive 50 per cent of Emirati debtors’ loans.

Women In Finance ‘Are More Likely’ To Attain Board Seats

Women in the finance sector can assess the immediate financial impact on a business, which raises their credibility across boards.

Emirates Steel Seeks $1.3bn Loan To Refinance Debt, Buy Assets

The deal is expected to cut the costs of a loan which was signed in 2010.

Qatar’s First IPO Since 2010 Fully Subscribed

Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding Co, a unit of state-owned Qatar Petroleum, raised QAR3.2 billion.

Kuwait Investment Firm KIPCO Plans Up To $500m Bond Sale

The company has hired a group of international banks to help arrange the sale.

National Bank Of Kuwait Q4 Net Profit Drops 48%

BK reported a full-year profit for 2013 at $844 million, down from the $1.08 billion recorded for 2012.

Middle East CEOs’ Confidence Rises Sharply In 2014

Middle East CEOs are the most confident globally about short-term revenue growth in 2014.

Abraaj Group Acquires Majority Stake In Turkish Dairy Firm

Abraaj’s investment will help Yörsan Group grow both domestically and internationally.

Bank Dhofar Posts 3.6% Q4 Profit Hike

The lender made a net profit of 9.3 million rials in the three months to December 31.

Qatar’s Doha Bank Boosts Capital With Bond Sale

Doha Bank has been raising its reserves in the last year to improve its capital ratios.

Kuwait’s Zain Seeks New Loan As $867m Facility Nears Maturity

The $867 million revolving facility is due to mature in March.

Fitch: Saudi Banks’ Performance To Remain Strong In 2014

Performance of Saudi lenders is being driven by business growth and declining loan impairment charges.

Saudi’s Al Rajhi Capital Plans Sukuk Push, Sees Better Year For IPOs

Corporates and state-owned entities in Saudi Arabia raised the equivalent of $15 billion from the sale of sukuk in 2013.

Oman’s Bank Sohar Q4 Net Profit Climbs 20.5%

Bank Sohar is currently in talks with rival lender Bank Dhofar over a possible merger.

Kuwait’s KIPCO Picks Banks Ahead Of Potential Dollar Bond Issue

The firm is the first Gulf-based issuer to announce plans for an international bond offering in 2014.

Kingdom Holding Posts 10.3% Rise In Q4 Profit

Full-year net profit for Prince Alwaleed’s investment firm rose five per cent to 742.5 million riyals.

Qatar’s Barwa Real Estate Sells Barwa Bank Stake For $656m

BRE is selling some of its assets to Qatari Diar to help eliminate its debts.

Deutsche Sees Saudi Local Debt Sales Surpassing International Issues In 2014

High liquidity in the country has kept funding costs low.

Qatar Islamic Bank Q4 Net Profit More Than Triples

QIB made a net profit of $100.2 million during the three months to December 31.