Middle East ETF News Older than One Year
The new appetite for Sukuk
October 28, 2010--The market for Islamic Bonds, or sukuk, became an indicator for the entire Islamic Finance industry. Not only has the Dubai World debt restructuring removed some doubts on Islamic Bonds, but the market has also gained pace in general. AMEinfo.com examines recent and future developments.
Sukuk has become a common financial instrument in East and West, for long-term and short-term financing. In October, the Dow Jones Citigroup Sukuk Index added 1.12% (as of the close of trading of October 25th).
This does not seem enough to attract investors as Shariah-compliant equity indices offered more attractive returns, such as the Dow Jones Islamic Market (DJIM) Kuwait Index, which rose 4.41% in October, or the Dow Jones Dubai Financial Market (DFM) Index, as the latter surged 5.88% higher. But the comparably lower return of the Dow Ones Citigroup Sukuk benchmark composite, which measures the performance of investment grade, dollar-denominated sukuk, is not representative of the comeback of Islamic Bonds.
Source: AME Info
Dubai market ends week on a bullish note
October 28, 2010--The DFM General Index jumped 2.58% Thursday to close at 1,777.19. Emaar shares gained 3.44% to finish at Dhs3.91, although missing analysts' estimates on Q3 results. Emaar Properties reported a 7% decline in third quarter profit Wednesday. Shares of Arabtec surged 3.44%, ending at Dhs2.27.
Credit Suisse-analyst Ahmed Badr remains neutral on Arabtec: "We reinstate coverage on Arabtec Holding with a Neutral rating and a target price of Dhs2.08 per share", Badr writes today, adding that "although Arabtec remains one of the cheapest construction companies globally, we believe potential risk for receivables as well as declining profitability would limit the stock from re-rating on a 12-months basis." The company's net profit fell to Dhs612m in the third quarter this year from Dhs665m in the same quarter in 2009.
Source: AME Info
Nasdaq Dubai: Depa Ltd., Damas shares gain
October 28, 2010--Shares of Nasdaq Dubai's heavyweight DP World dipped 0.17%, closing at $0.599 on low trading turnover. Interior designer Depa Ltd. gained 3.03% to finish at $0.68. Dubai-based jewellery trader Damas International Ltd. jumped 6.67%, finishing at $0.16.
Damas announed today, that (based on such gold price and such cash amount) the net amount to be repaid by the Abdullah brothers to Damas in accordance with the Settlement Agreement from November 25 2009 (in respect of certain transactions between the Abdullah brothers and Damas) is Dhs614m, comprising of Dhs358m in cash and an amount equivalent to gold with a value of Dhs 256m.
"Damas notes that the amount of Dhs 365m, which was referenced in the Enforceable Undertaking as the cash amount owing by the Abdullah Brothers to Damas is now reflected to be Dhs358m after considering certain historical recoveries from the Abdullah Brothers, which have been accounted for in the financial statements of Damas", the statement addressed to the Nasdaq Dubai and to Damas sahreholders says.
Source: AME Info
Kuwait bourse posts week gain of 1.77%
October 28, 2010--The KSE Market index ended Thursday at 7,067.6, up 0.26%. Islamic financial institution Boubyan Bank outperformed te KSE Banking index (down 0.10%) and closed 1.5% higher at KD0.630. Despite the recent bull's run in the financial sector, Credit Suisse remains cautious on Kuwaiti banks and prefers their peers in Qatar.
"In Kuwait, we are uncertain about the time frame of the (government's) development plan, and the magnitude of the impact that it will have in the immediate future", says Credit Suisse research analst Mohamad Hawa.
Source: AME Info
Industry shares help Qatar market to gain slightly
October 28, 2010--Doha-based Qatar Exchange (QE) added 0.12% to finish at 7,805.01, thanks to gains in the industry sector. Shares of real estate developer United Development Company (UDC), the builder of the man-made island The Pearl
Qatar at Doha's coastline, outperformed the market by climbing 0.40% to QR25.40. UDC advanced steadily as the share failed two times in 2010 to knock out a key resistance level at QR30. On a year-to-date basis, the QE Index surged 12.20%.
Source: AME Info
Dubai economy expected to grow by 2.3 per cent in 2010
October 27, 2010--Population is estimated at 1.87 million
Arif Obaid al-Muhairi, executive director at Dubai Statistics Centre has said the emirate’s economy is expected to grow by 2.3 per cent this year, as it recovers from the global crisis, Reuters has reported. Muhairi also said Dubai’s population is expected to increase, while the jobless rate in the city stands at 0.8 per cent.
“According to field surveys, the rate of population growth was around 7 per cent over the first nine months of the year,” he said. “The number of residents is estimated at 1.87 million.”
Source: Meed News
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank shares rise as Credit Suisse remains 'neutral' on ADCB
October 27, 2010--The ADX General Index dipped 0.14%. Shares of Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) gained 0.40%, closing at Dhs2.49. ADCB has reported 3Q net income of Dhs325m (versus net loss of dhs531m in Q2 10), "missing our estimates by 35% but beating consensus estimates by 29%", says Credit Suisse analyst Mohamad Hawa. Reported non performing loans (NPL) ratio was fairly flat at 5.5% (5.4% in Q2 10), while provision coverage increased from 76.7% in Q2 to 81.5% in Q3.
Hawa added: "Although we see downside risk to our full year estimates, we remain neutral on the stock (ADCB) as Q3 results came ahead of consensus and the stock is likely to benefit from upward revisions of the street estimates." Due to the sad demise of of His Highness Sheikh Saqr Bin Mohamed AI Qassimi, Ruler of Ras AI Khaimah (RAK), RAK Properties, pharmaceutical producer Julphar and RAKNIC cancelled their planned board meetings which were scheduled for the coming days.
Source: AME Info
Lacklustre trading at Nasdaq Dubai
October 27, 2010--FTSE NASDAQ Dubai UAE 20 Index closed at 1866.300 today, down -17.410, or -0.92%, from the previous close. DP World ended flat at $0.60 on low volumes. Interior designer Depa Ltd. ended 1.49% to close at $0.66.
No other stocks posted price changes.
Source: AME Info
Kuwait bourse outperforms GCC exchanges
October 27, 2010--As the only GCC equity market, the KSE Price Index gained 0.33% to finish at 7,049.30, due to gains in the insurance and real estate segment. Mena Real Estate Company topped the charts, closing 9.61% higher at KD0.057.
National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), the country's largest lender by assets, lost 1.44% to close at KD1.360.
Source: AME Info
Banks weigh on Qatar Exchange
October 27, 2010--As at most GCC markets, investors in Doha preferred to stay on the sidelines. The QE Index lost a quarter percent, closing at 7,795.73. Shares of Commercial Bank of Qatar (CBQ) and Doha Bank (off 0.75% at QR53.10)
failed to benefit from recent statement by Credit Suisse that the Qatari banking market offers the most attractive valuations and 'best asset quality' in the region.
Source: AME Info
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