The Saudi British Bank earns 11% more in Q1
April 9, 2013--The Saudi equity market index Tasi gained 0.42% to reach 7,190.31 points Tuesday.
Shares of The Saudi British Bank (SABB) gained 1.50%, finishing at SR34.10. SABB said the net income during the first quarter amounted to SR948m against SR 854m for the corresponding quarter of the previous year with an increase of 11.0%, and against the net income of SR815m during the previous quarter with an increase of 16.2%. SABB added that the increase happened due to an increase in operating income.
Source: AME Info
Yanbu Cement earns more on expansion in production
April 8, 2013--The Saudi Arabian Tadawul index added 0.67%, closing at 7,160.52 points Monday.
Market bellwether Sabic ended up 0.52% to reach SR97.50. Earlier in the day, the firm said it earned in the first quarter a net profit of SR247m, representing a 70% increase year-on-year. Yanbu Cement said "The increase in the current quarter profit compare with the same quarter for the previous year due to increase in sales quantity due to start Line 5 commercial production from April 2012."
Source: AME Info
Kuwait Stock Exchange up and away
April 8, 2013--The KSE market surged to a near 2.5-year high Monday, closing 0.40 percent higher at 6,787.87 points.
National Bank of Kuwait surged 3.33% to hit KD0.930. Telecom operator Zain ended flat at KD0.720. The Kuwaiti equity gauge gained 15.918% since Jan. 1 2013.
Source: AME Info
Qatar market misses bullish bandwagon
April 8, 2013--The QE 20 Index failed to follow the bullish mood after the Bank of Japan stepped up its monthly bond purchases and fell 0.20% to 8,520.71 points.
Gulf Drilling International ended down 1.66% to QR38.60. Earlier in the day, the firm said it inaugurated one of the most technologically advanced offshore drilling rigs to ever work in the State of Qatar. The inauguration ceremony took place at PPL's shipyard in Singapore and was attended by senior executives from Gulf Drilling International and Singaporean officials. The new drilling rig, named "Al Jassra", has been designed to the highest standards. It will be moved to Qatar and commence working in the Al Shaheen offshore field by mid-2013 pursuant to a contract that GDI has entered into with Maersk Oil Qatar.
Source: AME Info
Lenders lead Abu Dhabi bourse's way up
April 8, 2013--In line with the overall positive global market climate on Monday following the Bank of Japan's stimulus, the ADX General ended 0.45% higher at 3,070.08 points.
National Bank of Fujairah gained the most (up 14.74% at Dhs3.27). Sharjah Islamic Bank and First Gulf Bank (FGB) advanced 4.35% and 0.34%, respectively. Earlier in the day, Fitch Ratings has affirmed FGB's Long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'A+' with a Stable Outlook and upgraded its Viability Rating (VR) to 'bbb'.
Source: AME Info
Dubai market rebounds on BoJ stimulus
April 8, 2013--The DFM General Index closed 2.2% higher Monday to reach a 3-week high at 1,916.64 points.
The market reacted to the Bank of Japan's stimulus measures by increasing its monthly bond purchases to Y7.5tr ($76bn), sending the Yen to 2009-low. For the 2nd day straight, shares of Dubai Islamic Bank gained the most (up 5.73% at Dhs2.40). Emaar edged up 2.10% to hit Dhs5.34. Ajmanbank fell 0.64% to Dhs1.55. The Islamic bank from the emirate of Ajman said Mohammed J. A. Zaqout has been appointed CEO, effective on April 21.
Source: AME Info
Muscat market gains the third day straight
April 4, 2013--The Omani MSM-30 Index finished Thursday trading at 6,111.31 points.
Bank Muscat shares jumped one percent, finishing at OR 0.623. The next resistance level lies st OR0.64, the double-top from March 20 and Feb. 20. Earlier in the week, Oman's minister of finance Darwish bin Ismail bin Ali Al-Balushi said he expects the economy in th sultanate to increase by 6% in 2013.
Source: AME Info
Qatar Exchange rises amid narrowing Bollinger bands
April 4, 2013--The QE 20 Index ende up 0.10% at 8,576.86 points Thursday.
Medicare gained the most (up 8.33% at QR39). Al Ahali Bank posted the biggest decline, finishing off 5.36% at QR53.
Source: AME Info
Abu Dhabi market consolidates above 3,000 points
April 4, 2013--The ADX General Index closed 1.21% higher at 3,058.81 points Thursday.
Sorouh Real Estate advanced 2.91 percent to reach Dhs1.77. Earlier on Wednesday, National Bank of Abu Dhabi said in selected areas (Al Reem & Al Raha) in Abu Dhabi, average listed residential sales price were up 11.6% year-on-year in March.
Source: AME Info
Air Arabia soars on Mideast air traffic prospects
April 4, 2013--The Dubai equity market index DFMGI closed a volatile first trading week in April 1.42% higher at 1,880.42 points Thursday.
Air Arabia shares jumped 3.52% to hit Dhs0.823. Lower oil prices (down 2.8% (DME Oman crude)) lifted the Sharjah-based budget carrier. In addition, the latest IATA report published Wednesday said carriers in the Middle East registered the highest growth in February among all regions. Passenger traffic in the Middle East grew in Feb. by 10.6%, while European and North American registered insignificantly higher growth in the same month. According to Mick Gilligan, head of research at investment boutique firm Killik and Co., world passenger air traffic is poised to grow by 5 percent per annum in the next 20 years, mostly driven by growth in the emerging markets. Shares of Dubai-based Takaful Al Emarat Insurance lost the most (off 4.70% at Dhs0.61). Around 170m shares were traded, valued at Dhs240.7m.
Source: AME Info