Qatar Reveals Plan To Become Region’s Financial Hub

The tiny Gulf state will take on Abu Dhabi and Dubai as it looks to become the region’s financial powerhouse.

National Bank Of Oman Posts Flat Q2 Net Profit

Net profit for the first half of the year was 18.77 million rials compared with 19.92 million rials in the prior year period.

UAE’s Air Arabia Surges To Near 5-Year High

Air Arabia is the top trader on the UAE bourse after jumping 8.3 per cent to reach its highest levels since October 2008.

Bahrain Sovereign Fund Mumtalakat 2012 Net Loss Narrows

Mumtalakat made a net loss of 181.7 million dinars versus a net loss of 270.6 million a year earlier.

UAE Financial Sector To Freeze Hiring in H2 2013

The UAE’s financial sector is poised for expansion in the second half of 2013 but hiring depends largely on winning new projects.

Qatar Islamic Bank Q2 Net Profit Drops 2.9%

Net profit for the three months to June 30 was 339 million riyals versus a profit of 348.9 million riyals in the second quarter of 2012.

Oman’s Bank Dhofar Aims For Merger Talks With Bank Sohar

The new entity would have total assets worth 4.13 billion rials and a market capitalisation of around $1.76 billion.

Dubai Exchange Volumes Grow 101% In H1 2013

The sharp increase in first-half trading stems from a rise in currency volumes.

UAE Banks Seek Five-Year Grace Period

In April last year, the central bank set limits for how much commercial banks could lend to state-linked borrowers, in an effort to reduce risks.

UAE Central Bank Asks Lenders About Exposure To Turkey

The UAE’s financial ties to Turkey have expanded in recent years as banks look to diversify out of the region’s oil-focused economy.

Bank Muscat Q2 Net Profit Up 8.9%

Oman’s biggest lender by market value reported a net profit of 63.1 million rials in the first half of 2013, down from the prior-year period.

Saudi Q1 GDP Growth Slows To 2.1%

The drop from 6.5 per cent a year earlier reflects a fall in Saudi crude oil output over the year.

DeVere Group Eyes Gulf Market Post Acuma Buyout

DeVere Group CEO believes that the acquisition of Acuma, a UAE-based wealth management firm, will help further their presence in the Gulf market.

Mashreq’s Retail Banking Profit To Double

The Dubai lender’s retail arm made a net profit of Dhs240 million last year.

Abu Dhabi’s ADIA Invests $200m In India Real Estate

ADIA has investments of about $400-$500 million in India which includes a $50 million investment in Red Fort Capital, a real estate private equity fund.

Morsi Fallout: Egypt’s Stock Markets

How have Egypt’s markets reacted to the second presidential ousting in as many years?

Bahrain’s GFH Hopes More Active Investment Will Secure Recovery

Gulf Finance House is banking on a revamped business model to revive its fortunes.

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank Buys Back Shares Worth $103m

The purchase price was equivalent to a 5.6 per cent discount to Tuesday’s closing share price of Dhs5.15.

Qatar National Bank Q2 Profit Surges 24%, Beats Estimates

Loans and advances during the second quarter rose 26.3 per cent to QAR296 billion.

Brazil’s EBX, Abu Dhabi Fund Agree On Debt Refinance Deal

The agreement will reportedly cut EBX’s debt with Mubadala by more than 25 per cent to between $1.6 billion and $1.7 billion.

GCC IPOs Raise $48m In Q2 2013

Political instability in Egypt and other countries in the Middle East have dampened investor confidence resulting in low offering values.

Qatar National Bank Names Ali al-Kuwari Acting CEO

Ali al-Emadi, QNB’s previous CEO, became Qatar’s new finance minister following a cabinet reshuffle in June.

UAE To Give Egypt $3bn Support, Saudis $5bn

The UAE will make a $1 billion grant to Egypt and a $2 billion loan.

Mortgage Lender Tamweel To Delist From Dubai Bourse

The move is in preparation for its complete acquisition by Dubai Islamic Bank

SMEs Attracting More Funds From MENA Private Equity Firms

As political uncertainty rises in the Middle East, PE firms are increasingly considering SMEs as a viable investment option.

Egypt’s Central Bank Governor Flies To Abu Dhabi

The UAE pledged $3 billion in aid for Egypt in 2011 that has yet to be delivered.

QNB Names Finance Minister As Board Chairman

Emadi was appointed finance minister only recently following a cabinet reshuffle after the ascension of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani as Emir of Qatar.

Dubai Steps Up Asset Sales To Cut Debt Pile

Emirate’s creditors breathe a sigh of relief as Dubai government’s assets fetch good price.

Middle East M&A Deal Values Up 35.9%

According to a report from Mergermarket, the region saw its highest half-year value in M&A deals since 2010.

Solid Q2 Earnings Seen For Saudi Banks, Petrochemicals

The two sectors together account for over half of the Saudi market’s capitalisation.