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Kuwait Stock Exchange dips, as inflation declines
January 03, 2012--Kuwait: Losses in the industry and insurance sector dragged the KSE Market Index down by 0.20% to 5,780.9 points. National Bank of Kuwait or NBK closed even at KD1.100. Telecom operator Zain declined 1.12% to KD0.880.
Logistics specialist Agility ended 1.35% higher at KD0.375. According to National Bank of Abu Dhabi, the General Consumer Price Index in Kuwait fell in November 2011 to 4.16% from 4.82% the month before. The IMF expects consumer price inflation in the northern Gulf state to decline to 3.4% in 2012 from 6.2% last year due to a decline in global oil demand.
Kuwait inflation slows to 16-month low
January 03, 2012--Kuwait's annual inflation slowed to a 16-month low of 4.2% in November with prices unchanged from the previous month, and analysts expect price growth to remain at around current levels in the coming months, Reuters has reported.
"It is along the lines of expectations. We had an inflationary impulse earlier last year partly because of the global commodity prices, especially food prices, partly because of the increased government spending," said Jarmo Kotilaine, chief economist at National Commercial Bank in Jeddah. "Much of that impulse has already worked itself into the system and there has not really been anything new to push up the rate of price increases," he said.
Egypt cancels auctions of bonds
January 03, 2012--Egypt's finance ministry has announced the cancellation by the central bank of the EGP5bn ($829m) three-year and five-year re-opened bond auctions, Reuters has reported. The central bank,
which gave no reason for its decision, auctions the instruments on behalf of the ministry, which had offered EGP3bn of the three-year notes and EGP2bn of the five-year.
Is Islamic Finance ready for more standardization?
January 2, 2011--As new market participants enter the scene, Shariah banking continues to grow despite the threat of a global recession. But is the industry also progressing in terms of unity and transparency?
When bankers from East and West gathered in Manama at the 18th Annual World Islamic Banking Conference in November 2011, one topic was prevalent at nearly all discussion rounds: standardization.
Qatar Exchange adds slightly, as market revamps listing and IPO rules
January 02, 2012--The Qatar Exchange (QE), the only Arab stock exchange which gained in 2011 (up one per cent) ended 0.10% higher at 8,786.07 points Monday. The banking and financial sector was the only advancing segment.
The Qatar Financial Market Authority (QFMA) said it has introduced new rules for IPOs and secondary listings, Gulf News reported. According to Nasser Ahmed Al Shaibi, CEO of QFMA, the new rules have been designed in to attract small- and medium-sizes (SME) enterprises. The country's largest lender Qatar National Bank or QNB added 0.66% to reach QR153. According to National Bank of Abu Dhabi's latest research report on Qatar, Qatari banking assets were estimated at $177.9bn, down 0.3% month-on-month.
Bahrain Bourse falls half a per cent, as trading activity remains low
January 02, 2012--The Bahrain All Share Index fell 0.45% to close at 1,138.51 Monday. Bahrain Telecom, known as Batelco, advanced half a per cent, ending at BD0.394.
Earlier in the day, Batelco announced the introduction of its next-generation fibre-based access network in selected areas of Bahrain to ensure the delivery of cutting-edge communications services. The network, which is capable of providing bandwidth reaching up to 2.5GB per customer, will ensure the delivery of advanced Triple Play solutions, Batelco said. Islamic bank Al Baraka Banking Group dived 8.26% to finish at $1.00. Earlier in the day, Al Baraka, whose shares are also listed at the NASDAQ Dubai, said Standard & Poor's affirmed ratings of the its subsidiary Jordan Islamic Bank for long and short-term commitments of "B / BB" respectively with negative outlook. According to the Institute for Corporate Governance Hawkamah in Dubai, 95% of Bahrain's listed shares are not traded on a daily basis.
Saudi Arabian Tadawul market starts 2012 with modest gains
January 02, 2012--The Riyadh-based Tadawul All Share Index (Tasi) added 0.2% to reach 6,398.72 points. Al-Ahsa Development Co. gained the most,
closing 10% higher at SR14.85. Saudi Basic Industries Corp. or Sabic, the world's largest petrochemicals producer, advanced half a per cent to reach SR96.25. Eighty-eight shares gained, 38 lost value and 19 ended even.
Bahrain Bourse falls half a per cent, as trading activity remains low
January 02, 2012--Bahrain: The Bahrain All Share Index fell 0.45% to close at 1,138.51 Monday.
Bahrain Telecom, known as Batelco, advanced half a per cent, ending at BD0.394. Earlier in the day, Batelco announced the introduction of its next-generation fibre-based access network in selected areas of Bahrain to ensure the delivery of cutting-edge communications services. The network, which is capable of providing bandwidth reaching up to 2.5GB per customer, will ensure the delivery of advanced Triple Play solutions, Batelco said. Islamic bank Al Baraka Banking Group dived 8.26% to finish at $1.00. Earlier in the day, Al Baraka, whose shares are also listed at the NASDAQ Dubai, said Standard & Poor's affirmed ratings of the its subsidiary Jordan Islamic Bank for long and short-term commitments of "B / BB" respectively with negative outlook. According to the Institute for Corporate Governance Hawkamah in Dubai, 95% of Bahrain's listed shares are not traded on a daily basis.
Qatar lenders complete first treasury bill trade
Move to pave way for firms to issue bonds
December 30, 2011--QNB Group and Qatar Development Bank (QDB) have completed the first treasury bill trade in the secondary market after listing debt instruments on the Qatar Exchange.
The managements of both institutions expressed their appreciation to the Qatar Central Bank and Qatar Exchange for this initiative to list debt instruments on the stock exchange, which in return will contribute to the development of Qatar's financial markets and its position as a regional financial hub.
Qatar Exchange the only gaining Arab market in 2011
December 29, 2011--The Qatar Exchange dipped 0.38% Thursday and ended the year of the Arab Spring with a tiny advance of one per cent, closing at 8,779.03 points.
Qatar and the UAE were the only Arab states where no protests or civil unrest occured in 2011. In June 2012, global index provider MSCI will review again if Qatar is ripe for an upgrade to 'Emerging Market' from 'Frontier Market'. This move could trigger growing capital inflows from international fund managers to the Doha-based exchange.
