Friday 4 May 2018

Growth but challenges ahead for Saudi real estate sector

Growth but challenges ahead for Saudi real estate sector:

"The Saudi Arabian property market has been through two years of change and adjustment, and now looks set for growth — but there are significant challenges in both commercial and residential real estate in the Kingdom.

That was the verdict of property professionals at the Euromoney conference in Riyadh, where experts discussed the sector and its finances at a gathering that could best be described as “mixed” in its outlook.
“The opportunities are humongous,” said Abdulrahman Bajunaid, chief executive of RAFAL Real Estate, referring to the boost the sector is set to get from a mixture of government stimulus, economic growth and demographic pressure."



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QSE benchmark index gained 6.27% in April - The Peninsula Qatar

QSE benchmark index gained 6.27% in April - The Peninsula Qatar:

"The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) benchmark index gained 537.98 points, or 6.27 percent in April 2018, as compared to the previous month. The index closed the month at 9,111.97 points. The index tumbled 1.65 percent yesterday and closed the week at 8,805.76. The market was up 3.31 percent year-to-date.

Trading value during April was decreased by 5.78 percent to reach QR 6.07bn compared to QR 6.44bn in March. Trading volume decreased by 4.38 percent to reach over 249 million shares, as against more than 260 million shares, while the number of transactions fell by 8.04 percent, to reach 81,989 transactions as compared to 89,162 transactions during March.

The Industrials sector led trading value during April, accounting for 31.03 percent of the total trading value, followed by banks and financial services sector (30.35 percent), the consumer goods and services sector (11.47 percent), telecoms (10.45 percent) and real estate (8.51 percent)."



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Nuclear deal a challenge for Rouhani as Iran hardliners close in | Reuters

Nuclear deal a challenge for Rouhani as Iran hardliners close in | Reuters:

"Iran’s hardliners are preparing to bring President Hassan Rouhani to heel if U.S. President Donald Trump scraps Tehran’s nuclear deal with major powers, officials and analysts believe. 

Trump has threatened to abrogate the 2015 agreement by not extending sanctions waivers when they expire on May 12, if Britain, France and Germany do not “fix” its “terrible flaws”.

 This sets the stage for a resurgence of political infighting within Iran’s complex power structure, Iranian officials said.

"



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Qatar steps in to rescue Rosneft's troubled stake sale to China | Reuters

Qatar steps in to rescue Rosneft's troubled stake sale to China | Reuters:

"Qatar is taking a stake in Rosneft (ROSN.MM) of nearly 19 percent, rescuing the Russian oil major from its stalled deal to sell a major stake to China’s CEFC.

The deal strengthens ties between Moscow and Doha at a time Qatar when is facing boycott by its Gulf Arab neighbors.

Qatar’s sovereign investment fund QIA initially bought 19.5 percent in Rosneft together with Swiss trading giant Glencore (GLEN.L) for 10.2 billion euros ($12.2 billion) during the Russian firm’s partial privatization in 2016."



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Oil hits highest since Nov. 2014 as Iran tensions mount | Reuters

Oil hits highest since Nov. 2014 as Iran tensions mount | Reuters:

"Oil prices rose about 2 percent on Friday, with U.S. crude hitting its highest in more than three years, as global supplies remained tight and the market awaited news from Washington on possible new U.S. sanctions against Iran.

Bob Yawger, director at Mizuho, noted the looming May 12 deadline that U.S. President Donald Trump had set for Europeans to “fix” the deal with Iran over its nuclear programme or he would refuse to extend U.S. sanctions relief for the oil-producing Islamic Republic.

 “You have the May 12 Iran and Trump headlines that support the market,” he said.

"



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What could Iran do if Trump pulls out of nuclear deal? | Reuters

What could Iran do if Trump pulls out of nuclear deal? | Reuters:

"President Donald Trump is expected to pull the United States out of the Iran nuclear agreement on May 12. Tehran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, with China, France, Germany, Russia, Britain, and the United States in 2015.

Iran agreed to curbs on its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of some sanctions. But the withdrawal of the United States will probably sink the deal. If that happens, Iran could retaliate by undermining the interests of Washington and its allies in the Middle East.

Here are some possible scenarios: "



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RPT-COLUMN-Saudi Arabia wants higher prices to kick oil addiction: Kemp | Reuters

RPT-COLUMN-Saudi Arabia wants higher prices to kick oil addiction: Kemp | Reuters:

"Saudi Arabia’s financial position has stabilised as a result of the increase in oil prices as well as efforts to raise non-oil revenues and trim government spending.

But the country probably needs even higher prices and revenues in the next few years to pay for its ambitious transformation programme while maintaining internal stability.

The kingdom’s foreign reserves stood at $493 billion at the end of March 2018 and have been basically stable for eight months after declining steadily for nearly three years."



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Oil steady as U.S. decision on Iran sanctions looms | Reuters

Oil steady as U.S. decision on Iran sanctions looms | Reuters:

"Oil prices steadied on Friday, consolidating after recent gains, as global supplies remained tight and the market awaited news from Washington on possible new U.S. sanctions against Iran.

Brent crude oil was down 30 cents at $73.32 a barrel by 0900 GMT. The benchmark contract hit a 3-1/2 year closing high of $75.17 on Monday.

U.S. light crude was 20 cents down at $68.23."



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