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Economic Growth in Gulf Region Set to Improve following a Weak Performance in 2017
March 19, 2018--The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region witnessed another year of disappointing economic performance in 2017 but growth should improve in 2018 and 2019, according to the World Bank's biannual Gulf Economic Monitor released today in Kuwait.
The region eked out growth of just 0.5% in 2017-the weakest since 2009 and down from 2.5% the previous year. The GCC region’s economies experienced flat or declining growth as lower oil production and tighter fiscal policy took a toll on activity in the non-oil sector. External debt issuance continued to rise to help finance large fiscal deficits.
Listing And Trading Of Al Rayan Qatar ETF On Qatar Stock Exchange ETF ON QATAR STOCK EXCHANGE
March 19, 2018--Qatar Stock Exchange announces that effective 21st March 2018, the Al Rayan Qatar ETF will be admitted to trading.
The Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) issued by Masraf Al Rayan tracks the QE Al Rayan Islamic Index (Price). The benchmark measures the price performance of Shari'a complaint stocks (as approved by Al Rayan's Shari'a Supervisory Board) listed on Qatar Stock Exchange.
The Group Securities will act as the Liquidity Provider (LP) for the ETF.
MIDEAST STOCKS-Milaha boosts Qatar before index entry, Al Rajhi pulls down Saudi
March 15, 2018--A surge by Qatar Navigation (Milaha) lifted the Qatari equity index on Thursday ahead of the stock's entry into FTSE indexes, while profit-taking in Al Rajhi Bank pulled down Riyadh.
Qatar's index climbed 1.1 percent as Milaha added 4.0 percent in unusually heavy trade.
From Now, it Will be Cheaper for Companies to Make Issuances on TASE
March 14, 2018--On March 13, 2018 a tax bill passed its final hearings in the Knesset, whereby issuance expenses are to be recognized and deductible for tax purposes.
The bill proposes that every company or partnership that issues equity and is listed on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) will be able to deduct the issuance expenses of shares or participation units that are listed on TASE.
This measure is expected to provide more Israeli companies with an incentive to go public, giving the Israeli public the opportunity to be part of the success of the Israeli companies.
Saudi Aramco IPO in serious trouble: NY out, London iffy and Tadawul risky
March 14, 2018--Two years ago, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's announcement that Aramco would conduct an IPO for 5% of its shares was by far the biggest news on the planet.
Today, the bigger news is the possibility that it won't list any time soon, or any more or that it will exclude international markets like London, or New York.
Israel: Staff Concluding Statement of the 2018 Article IV Mission
March 14, 2018--Israel's economy is thriving, enjoying solid growth and unemployment declining to historic lows. Near-term prospects are for further robust growth in the next few years and inflation is expected to rise although the pace of that increase is uncertain.
But relative poverty is the highest among OECD countries, partly owing to wide gaps between the employment and productivity of the Israeli-Arab and Haredi subgroups relative to non-Haredi Jews. Unless these gaps are narrowed, the substantial shifts in population composition that will unfold in coming decades could undermine growth and stability.
Israel should seize this opportunity to implement further reforms, especially in education and training, product markets, and the business environment, to sustain strong and inclusive growth.
MIDEAST STOCKS-Higher ownership ceilings boost Qatar, Egypt climbs on CIB
March 13, 2018--Qatar's stock market continued rising on Tuesday after two top companies said they were raising their ceilings for foreign ownership, while strength in Egypt's biggest bank lifted that market. Most of the rest of the region was subdued.
The Qatari stock index, which had soared 5 percent on Monday, added a further 1.6 percent. Qatar National Bank, which had risen its 10 percent daily limit on Monday, climbed 6.9 percent.
MIDEAST STOCKS-Qatar soars as QNB to lift ownership ceiling, Saudi also strong
March 12, 2018--Qatar's stock market soared on Monday after Qatar National Bank said it would raise its ceiling for foreign ownership, while expectations for more inflows of foreign money lifted Saudi Arabia.
The Qatari stock indexadded 5.0 percent, its biggest leap since January 2016, in its heaviest trade this year as QNB, the Middle East's biggest bank, rocketed its 10 percent daily limit.
UK officials told that Aramco IPO unlikely until 2019: FT
March 11, 2018--British officials have been informed by their Saudi counterparts that oil giant Saudi Aramco's IPO-ARMO.SE initial public offering is likely to be delayed until 2019, the Financial Times reported.
The Saudi government had targeted a market listing by the second half of 2018, but preparedness for the offering and also willingness for a simultaneous or sequential flotation on a foreign exchange had been questioned, the FT reported, citing sources.
MIDEAST STOCKS-Abu Dhabi down; Egypt hits record high
March 6, 2018--Gulf stocks were mixed on Tuesday, with the Saudi market. TASI up on steady oil prices and Abu Dhabi dragged down by First Abu Dhabi Bank's stock going ex-dividend.
Outside of the Gulf, Egypt's index .EGX30 continued to climb, reaching an all-time high as it benefits from the central bank's decision to cut interest rates last month, the first time it has done so since letting the currency float freely in 2016.