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Dubai and Egyptian stock markets eye dual listings
May 16, 2011--The Dubai Financial Market has agreed with the Cairo exchange to set up a framework to encourage dual listings, in a bid to boost liquidity and offer investors more diversity
the Associated Press has reported. Dubai has been spared the Arab world's unrest, but its stock market faces competition from rival exchanges in neighbouring oil-rich Gulf cities.
Saudi bourse aims to join MSCI index
May 16, 2011--The Saudi Capital Market Authority has said the kingdom's stock exchange is in talks with several index providers, including influential index compiler MSCI, to become one of its component, Reuters has reported
"The kingdom is eligible to join emerging markets indicators like some of other markets in the region," CMA president, Abdul Rahman Al-Tuwaijri said. Saudi Arabia is the largest stock market in the Gulf region and fund managers have been scrambling to get an exposure in the market, considered more diverse than most other Gulf markets.
DGCX Weekly Market Comentary -May 15, 2011
May 15, 2011- Economic Data Overview
A moderate number of economic data releases are spread out over the week. The highlights will probably be associated with activity in the housing market, although there will also be a number of reports pertaining to the factory sector. Two of the earliest reads for the factory sector will be released during the week. The New York Fed's Empire State Survey for May is scheduled for Monday, and the Philadelphia Fed's Business Outlook is due on Thursday.
Although the two general activity indexes moved in opposite directions last month - New York was stronger, and Philadelphia was lower – both remained consistent with continued moderate expansion. That is expected to continue into May. The numbers for industrial production and capacity utilization in April on Tuesday will feel the impact of slower production in the auto industry and some regional disruptions due to severe weather. Oil prices should help keep mining activity on the rise. Initial claims for the week ended May 14 will include the survey comparison week from April to May. Claims are likely to remain somewhat elevated as flooding in the Mississippi River basin succeeded the tornadoes that struck parts of the South in prior weeks. Two reports on mass layoff activity and state and regional unemployment for April will be released on Friday. Layoffs have been rising somewhat for the private sector as some businesses have cut costs through reducing payrolls. Government layoffs appear to be slowing, but are not yet done. The numbers for state unemployment will add some detail to the national average, but will not change the overall picture.
The Conference Board's Leading Economic Index for April on Thursday should signal another month of increased activity, albeit at a slower pace. Positive contributions are expected from interest rates, building permits, consumer expectations, stock prices and money supply. The Bank of Japan is the only major central bank scheduled to make a routine monetary policy announcement. The Policy Board meets on Thursday and Friday. The Bank may offer additional support for the post-earthquake recovery. The FOMC meeting minutes from April 26-27 will be released on Wednesday. This could well have
Emaar, Arabtec weigh on Dubai bourse
May 12, 2011--The DFM General Index could not sustain its crossing over 1,600 points froom Wednesday and declined 0.73% to 1,596.80 points. Arabtec Construction (off 2.145 at Dhs1.37) and Emaar Properties (down 0.62% at Dhs3.22) pulled the market lower.
Islamic home finance specialist Tamweel (up six percent at Dhs0.85) posted its firs gain after being its' re-listing this week. Trading volumes doubled compared to the day before as 355.22m shares valued at Dhs314. 51m changed hands. Nine stocks gained, 19 lost and two ended flat. Over the second week of May, the DFM lost 0.61%.
Dana Gas gain on 180% net profit hike
May 12, 2011--The Abu Dhabi bourse ADX added 0.11% to reach 2,672.89 points. Shares of Sharjah-based Dana Gas closed 1.47% higher at Dhs0.69. Earlier in teh day Dana reported a first quarter net profit of Dhs92m, a 180% compared to Q1 2010.
"Production increased in aggregate by 34%, from the Company's operations in Egypt, where new discoveries continue to be brought into production, and in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, where production from the Khor Mor field continues to increase," Dana said in a statement to the ADX. Aldar Properties declined two percent to Dhs1.45. Trading turnover remained low, as 63.92m stocks valued at Dhs139.21m changed hands.
DP World ends flat as LSE dual listing is in reach
May 12, 2011--The FTSE NASDAQ Dubai UAE 20 Index closed at 1769.02 down 0.27% from the previous close.
Global maritime port operator DP World ended a rollercoaster trading day flat a $0.69. On Wednesday DP World's shareholders approved a planned dual listing at the London Stock Exchange (LSE). A one-for-20 share consolidation will take effect from May 19, as the dual listing is planned for as early as May 26. adding that its free float would remain unchanged at 19.55 percent.
Qatar bourse finishes 0.26% lower
May 12, 2011--The Doha-based QE Index dipped 0.61% to 8,711.49 points, as shares ended mixed in Thursday. Al Ahli Bank (up 5.26% at QR68.00) was one of the top performers.
Qatar Islamic Bank declined 1.58% at QR81.00. All sectors ended in the red with the exception of the insurance segment. Qatar Insurance closed even at QR83.50
DGCX 2011 volumes cross one million contracts mark
1 million mark crossed in 91 trading days
YTD 2011 volume represents value of US $49.1 billion
52% increase on YTD volume compared to 2010
May 12, 2011--The Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DGCX) today announced that its 2011 year-to-date (YTD) volume surpassed one million contracts on May 11, 2011, the
earliest it has surpassed this milestone in any year since launch. The earliest DGCX had previously crossed one million contracts was on July 18, 2010.
Year?to?date volume on the Exchange stood at 1,005,841 contracts at the close of trading on May 11, 2011. The volume reflects a total value of US $49.1 billion and a 52% increase on the
YTD volume of 660,968 contracts achieved by the same date last year. Year?to?date average
daily volumes also rose 51% to 11,053 contracts.
UAE banks to be hit by US tax act
May 12, 2011--Financial experts have warned that a US tax law that was passed two years ago could cost banks in the UAE millions of dirhams, Gulf News has reported.
To be implemented from January 2013, the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) requires foreign banks and financial institutions to disclose the nationality of their account-holders or investors and any bank or institution that does not comply will face a 30% withholding tax on US source income.
Arabtec dips as Credit Suisse cuts target price
May 11, 2011--The DFM General Index ended 0.11% higher at 1,608.49 points. Construction giant Arabtec ended 1.41% lower at Dhs1.40.
Earlier in the day Credit Suisse analyst Ahmed Badr said the Swiss bank maintained Arabtec's 'neutral' rating but cut the share's price target to Dhs1.48 from Dhs2.08 "as we reduce our backlog and earnings estimates (2011E-2013E) and adjust for the 4:1 bonus issue", Mr. Badr writes. On Tuesday Arabtec reported an 80% net profit decline for the first quarter of Dhs134.5m. Badr adds: "We expect margins to deteriorate further on the back of increased competition in the GCC and potential contract renegotiations." Cooling specialist Tabreed gained the most (up 4.44% at DhsDhs1.41). Emaar Properties declined 0.61% to Dhs3.24. The advance-decline ratio stood at 13 to 12, while two shares closed even. Some 169.23m stocks valued at Dhs186.51m changed hands.
