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Batelco dips, banks add at Bahrain Bourse
September 17, 2012--The Bahrain All-Share Index gained 0.14% to reach 1,076.07 points Monday.
Bahrain Telecommunications or Batelco fell one percent to close at BD0.406. Khaleeji Commercial Bank gained the most (up 2.94% at BD0.035). National Bank of Bahrain and Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait added 2% and 1.60%, respectively.
Kuwait GDP bounced back to 21% after crisis
September 17, 2012--Kuwait National Bank (NBK) has said the Gulf country's economy has bounced back reasonably well in the post-crisis period,
saying that the growth in six out of eight non-oil sectors has been higher over the last three years than before the global financial crisis, Saudi Gazette has reported. Output rose by 21% per year on average between 2009 and 2011, only
Kuwait Stock Exchange loses 115 points in a week
September 13, 2012--The KSE Market Index failed to extend its rebound from yesterday and declined 0.72% Thursday, closing at 5,792.71 Thursday.
Weak performing bank shares weighed on the gauge in particular. International Financial Advisors or IFA fell 2.53% to KD0.385. Kuwait Building Materials Manufacturing jumped 14.15% to hit KD0.242. Due to the weak second week of September, the KSE Market Index failed to reach break-even on a year-to-date basis. Since January 1, the market measure lost 0.37%.
Qatar Fuel advances to six-month high
September 13, 2012--The QE 20 Index lost 0.10% to 8,563.19 points.
Market bellwethers Industries Qatar (down 0.42%) and Qatar National Bank (0.15% lower) fell on profit booking afer both firms posted significant gains over the week. Qatar Fuel jumped three percent to reach QR287.40, the highest level since March this year.
Etisalat soars to 11-month high on pull-out from Indonesia's XL Axiata
September 13, 2012--Despite a very negative advance-decline ratio, the ADX General Index extented its gaining streak to the seventh (!) day, closing a quarter percentage point higher at 2,608.53.
Etisalat, the UAE's first telecom provider, was the share of the day, finishing 1.15% higher at Dhs9.67. Earlier in the day, Etisalat announced it has sold its 9.1%-stake in Indonesia's third largest mobile operator XL Axiata for Dhs1.87bn ($510m). The sale is expected to be complete until next Tuesday, September 18. Only three shares advanced in Abu Dhabi, while 14 (!) ended flat at nine securities declined in value. Merger candidates Aldar Properties and Sorouh Real Estate fell 0.80% and 1.63%, respectively. Trading activity was dull as 40m shares worth Dhs91.7m changed hands.
Dubai market ends the week higher
September 13, 2012--The DFM General Index closed 0.16% higher at 1,573.94 points Thursday.
Shuaa Capital gained the most, as the investment bank surged 3.25% to hit Dhs0.635. Market bellwether Emaar advanced 4.24% over the week, closing today at Dhs3.44. Drake and Scull International was the most active share by volume, closing off 0.12% at Dhs0.867. At the NASDAQ Dubai, global port operator DP World ended even at $10.60. Trading volumes at the DFM remained in the modest area as 96.3m shares worth Dhs115m changed hands.
Saudi inflation drops to 3.8%, a three year low
September 13, 2012--According to the data from Saudi Arabia's Central Department of Statistics, the kingdom's annual inflation eased to 3.8% in August, its lowest level in almost three years, although the monthly
increase was the fastest in 10 months, Reuters has reported. Consumer price growth in the kingdom has been slowing gradually since peaking at 5.4% in February and March, registering 4% in July. The month-on-month rate edged up to 0.4% in August from 0.3% in the previous month. “The rate of inflation will depend on how fast international food prices are rising. In addition, the expectation of another round of quantitative easing is likely to weaken the dollar which may help push domestic inflation,” said Fahad Alturki, senior economist at Jadwa Investment in Riyadh.
Saudi Automotive Services gets SR255m Islamic financing from Banque Saudi Fransi
September 12, 2012--The Tadawul All-Share Index added a quarter percentage point to reach 7,104.5, with Sabic as the most liquid share closing 1.40% higher at SR92.25.
Shares of Saudi Automotive Services fell by 0.50% to SR19.95. Earlier in the day, the firm said it signed up for a SR255m Islamic credit facility with Banque Saudi Fransi. The proceeds will be used to finance expansion plans. Shares of Banque Saudi Fransi closed unchanged at SR31.90.
Banks, insurers lift Qatar Exchange
September 12, 2012--The QE 20 Index advanced 1.13% to reach 8,570.56 points Wednesday as market heavyweight Industries Qatar (three percent higher) and Qatar National Bank (up 1.20%) led the buying spree.
Doha Insuracen ended as a top gainer (four percent higher). Al Meera Consumer Goods Company slipped 0.20% to QR165.20. Earlier in the day, Al Meera said it will rebrand four Giant stores it bought from Al Oumara Baking Co. in 2011 into Al Meera Supermarkets. In addition, Qatar Telecom or Qtel said its customers from now on access mobile products and services closer to home, as the company is opening kiosks in all branches of the Al Meera Supermarket, thanks to a new agreement. Qtel shares advanced by 0.40%.
IPO news lift Omani banking shares
September 12, 2012--The MSM-30 Index in Muscat added 0.20% to reach 5,563.18 Wednesday.
Oman's largest lender Bank Muscat was the most liquid share and gained 0.73% to close at OE0.533. On Tuesday, the bank said it has widened feedback channels for its customers in order to increase the level of service. In addition, news that the Sultanate's second Islamic financial institution Izz islamic bank will launch an IPO on September 22, according to the Oman Dialy Observer, raised the sentiment in the southern GCC state.
