As Qatar Telecom (Qtel) QTEL.QA dangles a $2.2 billion bait to persuade minority shareholders in its Kuwaiti unit Wataniya (NMTC.KW) to sell out, it knows one major investor is positioned to frustrate its goal of 100 percent control.
Step forward the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA), the sovereign wealth fund whose 23.5 percent stake in Wataniya makes it the second biggest shareholder and puts it in prime position to decide the fate of Qtel's offer for the 47.5 percent it does not already own.
Qtel bought its controlling stake in 2007 but has now decided to seek full control, capitalising on Wataniya's weak share price and completing the takeover of a company with attractive growth prospects in emerging markets such as Algeria and Tunisia.
Wednesday, 29 August 2012
Turkey’s eastern trading bet pays off - FT.com
Turkey has identified a unique selling point as a European country – it wants to project itself as an emerging Asian market with a strong position in the Middle East. It should. It is. It has.
For a nation that spent much of the 20th century seeking adoption from Europe and being spurned, it has spent much of this century rediscovering old trading relationships with eastern neighbours. That has proved to be a wise and fruitful bet, as Europe wallows in austerity triggered by the Great Recession while $100 oil has spurred an economic boom in the energy-rich Arab states.
For a nation that spent much of the 20th century seeking adoption from Europe and being spurned, it has spent much of this century rediscovering old trading relationships with eastern neighbours. That has proved to be a wise and fruitful bet, as Europe wallows in austerity triggered by the Great Recession while $100 oil has spurred an economic boom in the energy-rich Arab states.
MENA stock markets close - August 29, 2012
| Exchange | Status | Index | Change | ||||
 | TASI (Saudi Stock Market) | 7139.01 | 0.02% | ||||
 | DFM (Dubai Financial Market) | 1555.66 | 0.66% | ||||
| ADX (Abudhabi Securities Exchange) | 2574.8 | 0.03% | ||||
 | KSE (Kuwait Stock Exchange) | 5866.64 | 0.47% | ||||
 | BSE (Bahrain Stock Exchange) | 1077.71 | 0.40% | ||||
 | MSM (Muscat Securities Market) | 5487.26 | -0.05% | ||||
 | QE (Qatar Exchange) | 8445.45 | -0.45% | ||||
 | LSE (Beirut Stock Exchange) | 1122.7 | -0.13% | ||||
 | EGX 30 (Egypt Exchange) | 5308.38 | -0.32% | ||||
 | ASE (Amman Stock Exchange) | 1920.24 | -0.01% | ||||
 | TUNINDEX (Tunisia Stock Exchange) | 5202.25 | -0.16% | ||||
 | CB (Casablanca Stock Exchange) | 9860.96 | -0.30% | ||||
 | PSE (Palestine Securities Exchange) | 432.54 | 0.29% | ||||
MIDEAST STOCKS-Dubai halts 3-day drop; Kuwait continues rebound - Yahoo! News Maktoob
Dubai's bourse halted a three-day decline on Wednesday as bargain-hunters returned but trading volumes dropped to a four-week low, while most Gulf markets were flat in lacklustre trade ahead of Friday's U.S. Federal Reserve symposium, which may signal whether the Fed plans more stimulus.
Dubai's index gained 0.7 percent, heading back towards Thursday's 16-week high. Bellwether Emaar Properties
rose 1.2 percent, Deyaar Development added 2.6 percent and contractor Arabtec rose 1.5 percent.
"A lot of people are looking to be long even more in the region -- offshore investors are still not in the region, it has just been mainly retail activity," said Ibrahim Masood, senior investment officer at Mashreq Bank. So any weakness in the market will attract investors, he added.
Dubai's index gained 0.7 percent, heading back towards Thursday's 16-week high. Bellwether Emaar Properties
rose 1.2 percent, Deyaar Development added 2.6 percent and contractor Arabtec rose 1.5 percent.
"A lot of people are looking to be long even more in the region -- offshore investors are still not in the region, it has just been mainly retail activity," said Ibrahim Masood, senior investment officer at Mashreq Bank. So any weakness in the market will attract investors, he added.
MIDEAST DEBT-Gulf bond market forges global links as it grows - Yahoo! News Maktoob
When Abu Dhabi's biggest bank issued a $750 million bond in August, strong investor demand underlined how well most Gulf banks are riding out the global financial crisis. The issue also sent another signal: that the region's debt market is growing strongly and, increasingly, integrating with overseas markets.
The seven-year bond from National Bank of Abu Dhabi, which attracted about $4.5 billion of orders from investors, was issued in the third week of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. In past years, the Gulf bond market has slowed dramatically during Ramadan, as fasting traders and investors reduce their working hours. So the fact that NBAD's bond emerged during Ramadan this year showed how the market's expansion is changing
issuance and trading patterns, analysts and traders said.
The seven-year bond from National Bank of Abu Dhabi, which attracted about $4.5 billion of orders from investors, was issued in the third week of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. In past years, the Gulf bond market has slowed dramatically during Ramadan, as fasting traders and investors reduce their working hours. So the fact that NBAD's bond emerged during Ramadan this year showed how the market's expansion is changing
issuance and trading patterns, analysts and traders said.
MIDEAST MONEY-New UAE fund rules worry Gulf asset managers - Yahoo! News Maktoob
By introducing new rules on the sale of foreign funds, the United Arab Emirates aims to shield its investors from losses as global markets struggle. But the country risks damaging its role as a hub for asset management in
the region.
The rules, which will take effect on an unspecified date when they are published in the official gazette, transfer
primary responsibility for overseeing investment funds to the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), the national financial regulator, from the central bank.
They cover both the promotion and sale of foreign funds in the UAE, and requirements for offering and launching new local funds. Collectively they mark one of the biggest changes in UAE financial regulation since the country's corporate debt crisis erupted in 2009.
the region.
The rules, which will take effect on an unspecified date when they are published in the official gazette, transfer
primary responsibility for overseeing investment funds to the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), the national financial regulator, from the central bank.
They cover both the promotion and sale of foreign funds in the UAE, and requirements for offering and launching new local funds. Collectively they mark one of the biggest changes in UAE financial regulation since the country's corporate debt crisis erupted in 2009.
STOCKS NEWS MIDEAST-Egypt pauses on profit-taking after four-day rally - Yahoo! News Maktoob
Egypt's benchmark index pauses after a four-day rally that pushed it to a 24-week high, with investors taking advantage of high prices to unload some of their shares, traders say. The index inches down 0.3 percent to 5,308 points.
On Wednesday, the market closed at its highest since March 11 on continued optimism that the country's political situation was stabilising and international donors such as the IMF and Gulf countries were lining up to help its economy.
"There was profit taking soon after the beginning of the session, and there will probably be another fall tomorrow before shares start rising again next week," says Hisham Metwalli of Arab Finance Brokerage.
On Wednesday, the market closed at its highest since March 11 on continued optimism that the country's political situation was stabilising and international donors such as the IMF and Gulf countries were lining up to help its economy.
"There was profit taking soon after the beginning of the session, and there will probably be another fall tomorrow before shares start rising again next week," says Hisham Metwalli of Arab Finance Brokerage.
Nasdaq Dubai taps COO Ali as new CEO - MarketWatch
Bourse operator Nasdaq Dubai on Wednesday named Hamed Ali as acting chief executive officer, following the departure of the exchange's previous top official Jeff Singer.
Mr. Ali earlier this month joined Nasdaq as chief operating officer. He already worked for the stockmarket operator from 2006 to 2008.
Nasdaq's previous CEO Jeff Singer recently took the helm at the Dubai Financial Centre Authority.
Mr. Ali earlier this month joined Nasdaq as chief operating officer. He already worked for the stockmarket operator from 2006 to 2008.
Nasdaq's previous CEO Jeff Singer recently took the helm at the Dubai Financial Centre Authority.
UAE healthcare firm NMC's net profit jumps 21 pct | Reuters
NMC Health, the United Arab Emirates healthcare provider which floated on the London market in April, posted a 21 percent rise in first-half net profit on higher revenues from its core business.
NMC made a net profit of $27.5 million in the first six months, chief financial officer Prasanth Manghat told Reuters by telephone on Wednesday.
"The contribution of the healthcare business on overall revenues helped increase our profit," he said.
NMC made a net profit of $27.5 million in the first six months, chief financial officer Prasanth Manghat told Reuters by telephone on Wednesday.
"The contribution of the healthcare business on overall revenues helped increase our profit," he said.
Qatar Islamic Bank plans $1.5 bln sukuk programme | Reuters
Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) is planning a sukuk issuance programme of up to $1.5 billion, a company statement said on Wednesday. The bank will seek shareholder approval of the plan in a meeting on Sept. 16.
"A consent from the quorum at the General Assembly will allow QIB to further process necessary approvals from the relevant authorities in Qatar with regards to potential Sukuk issuances under the Programme in the future," the emailed statement said.
The lender last tapped global debt markets with a $750 million sukuk in 2010, which carried a profit rate of 3.856 percent; the sukuk was yielding about 2.35 percent on Wednesday, according to Thomson Reuters data.
"A consent from the quorum at the General Assembly will allow QIB to further process necessary approvals from the relevant authorities in Qatar with regards to potential Sukuk issuances under the Programme in the future," the emailed statement said.
The lender last tapped global debt markets with a $750 million sukuk in 2010, which carried a profit rate of 3.856 percent; the sukuk was yielding about 2.35 percent on Wednesday, according to Thomson Reuters data.
The Times of Oman: Bank Sohar's RO10m rights issue by Sept.
Bank Sohar, the youngest Omani bank that was aggressive in expanding business and branch network, is planning to float its RO10 million rights issue next month, if everything goes as per the plan.
The rights issue will take the bank's paid up capital to RO110 million, from RO100 million now. The shares will be offered at a price of 102 baisas, which include two baisas per share to cover expenses. The rights entitlement is on a 10:1 ratio and the proceeds of the issue will be used for raising the required minimum capital for setting up an Islamic banking window, in line with the requirements of the Central Bank of Oman (CBO).
Oman Arab Bank is the issue manager of the rights offer.
The rights issue will take the bank's paid up capital to RO110 million, from RO100 million now. The shares will be offered at a price of 102 baisas, which include two baisas per share to cover expenses. The rights entitlement is on a 10:1 ratio and the proceeds of the issue will be used for raising the required minimum capital for setting up an Islamic banking window, in line with the requirements of the Central Bank of Oman (CBO).
Oman Arab Bank is the issue manager of the rights offer.
DP World's H1 profit flat, cites global climate | Reuters
Dubai's DP World, the world's third largest port operator, reported flat profits for the first half of this year, citing an uncertain global economic climate.
The company, one of the more profitable assets of debt-laden Dubai World, made a profit of $247 million, barely changed from $246 million in the year-earlier period, it said on Wednesday.
Revenue for the six months ended June 30 was $1.53 billion compared to $1.50 billion in the prior-year period.
The company, one of the more profitable assets of debt-laden Dubai World, made a profit of $247 million, barely changed from $246 million in the year-earlier period, it said on Wednesday.
Revenue for the six months ended June 30 was $1.53 billion compared to $1.50 billion in the prior-year period.
Don't build property hope too high just yet - The National
The property market, hit hard during the fallout from the global financial crisis, is crucial to the continuing economic recovery of the UAE.
There have been some signs, at least in some parts of the sector, that prices and rents are increasing once more. Alan Robertson is the chief executive for the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) at Jones Lang LaSalle, a global group specialising in property consultancy, management and investment.
Here, he gives a snapshot view of the health of the property business in the Emirates and the region.
There have been some signs, at least in some parts of the sector, that prices and rents are increasing once more. Alan Robertson is the chief executive for the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) at Jones Lang LaSalle, a global group specialising in property consultancy, management and investment.
Here, he gives a snapshot view of the health of the property business in the Emirates and the region.
Norway fund opposes Glencore merger - FT.com
Norway has joined forces with Qatar in opposition to the $70bn merger between commodities trader Glencore and miner Xstrata, further threatening one of the biggest deals in the natural resources industry over the past decade.
Norges Bank Investment Management, the manager behind Norway’s oil-backed sovereign wealth fund, has spent more than $500m over the last few weeks buying Xstrata shares, according to regulatory fillings.
Norges Bank Investment Management, the manager behind Norway’s oil-backed sovereign wealth fund, has spent more than $500m over the last few weeks buying Xstrata shares, according to regulatory fillings.
Kuwait’s Index Rises on Bets This Month’s Fall Is Overdone - Bloomberg
Kuwait’s benchmark stock index rose to the highest in more than a month on bets that the gauge’s decline to an eight-year low earlier this month was overdone.
Agility (AGLTY), the Kuwaiti storage and logistic company, and Islamic lender Boubyan Bank KSC (BOUBYAN) rose the most in two weeks. National Mobile Telecommunications Co. (NMTC), also known as Wataniya Telecom, closed at the highest in four and a half years after parent Qatar Telecom (QTEL) QSC made a cash offer for all of the company it didn’t already own. The Kuwait Stock Exchange index rose 0.9 percent to 5,839.45, its highest close since July 22. The gauge fell to its lowest in eight years on Aug. 12. The Bloomberg GCC 200 Index was down less than one percent.
Investors held back during Islam’s holy month of Ramadan and “now feel more comfortable buying shares that would benefit if a rebound happens,” Carlos Ribeiro, Gulf Bank KSC (GBK)’s chief financial officer said by telephone. Investors are picking “particular companies in very particular industries” that will be part of a rally after the dip in the index, he said.
Agility (AGLTY), the Kuwaiti storage and logistic company, and Islamic lender Boubyan Bank KSC (BOUBYAN) rose the most in two weeks. National Mobile Telecommunications Co. (NMTC), also known as Wataniya Telecom, closed at the highest in four and a half years after parent Qatar Telecom (QTEL) QSC made a cash offer for all of the company it didn’t already own. The Kuwait Stock Exchange index rose 0.9 percent to 5,839.45, its highest close since July 22. The gauge fell to its lowest in eight years on Aug. 12. The Bloomberg GCC 200 Index was down less than one percent.
Investors held back during Islam’s holy month of Ramadan and “now feel more comfortable buying shares that would benefit if a rebound happens,” Carlos Ribeiro, Gulf Bank KSC (GBK)’s chief financial officer said by telephone. Investors are picking “particular companies in very particular industries” that will be part of a rally after the dip in the index, he said.
Arabtec loses appeal for analysts on price - The National
Arabtec Holding's prospects may be bright but the UAE's biggest builder is rapidly losing favour with analysts.
The construction firm based in Dubai surprised the market with a loss of Dh11.6 million during the second quarter, which it attributed to the costs of moving equipment and staff as it geared up for projects in Saudi Arabia.
Despite the loss, Arabtec's half-year results represent a 30.4 per cent improvement on profits recorded during the same period last year.
The construction firm based in Dubai surprised the market with a loss of Dh11.6 million during the second quarter, which it attributed to the costs of moving equipment and staff as it geared up for projects in Saudi Arabia.
Despite the loss, Arabtec's half-year results represent a 30.4 per cent improvement on profits recorded during the same period last year.
Freed Briton fails to halt Dh57m Nakheel payout - The National
A British developer released from jail in Dubai last month after going on hunger strike made a surprise court appearance in the emirate yesterday in a bid to freeze a Dh57 million (US$15.5m) payout from Nakheel to another investor.
Safi Qurashi, 43, spent 30 months in prison after being found guilty of bouncing cheques. He was at the Dubai World Tribunal yesterday as the investor, Shokat Mohammed Dalal, won his case against Nakheel over a disputed deposit paid for three islands on The World, a Dubai World project developed by Nakheel.
In a highly unusual move, Afridi & Angell, acting for Mr Qurashi, requested the Tribunal freeze the money awarded to Mr Dalal because he and Mr Qurashi were involved in a separate civil dispute in the Dubai Courts.
Safi Qurashi, 43, spent 30 months in prison after being found guilty of bouncing cheques. He was at the Dubai World Tribunal yesterday as the investor, Shokat Mohammed Dalal, won his case against Nakheel over a disputed deposit paid for three islands on The World, a Dubai World project developed by Nakheel.
In a highly unusual move, Afridi & Angell, acting for Mr Qurashi, requested the Tribunal freeze the money awarded to Mr Dalal because he and Mr Qurashi were involved in a separate civil dispute in the Dubai Courts.
Dubai Group sees stake in Cyprus bank weaken - The National
Dubai Group has seen its stake in Cyprus Popular Bank diluted and the value of its holding plunge dramatically following a state bailout of the lender.
Cyprus Popular Bank, formerly known as Marfin Popular Bank, was forced to seek state support this summer as the effects of nearby Greece's recession hammered earnings at the island's companies. The cost of propping up Cyprus' banking sector forced the Cypriot government to request an international bailout.
But the effect of the bank's capital increase was to dilute Dubai Group's stake significantly.
Cyprus Popular Bank, formerly known as Marfin Popular Bank, was forced to seek state support this summer as the effects of nearby Greece's recession hammered earnings at the island's companies. The cost of propping up Cyprus' banking sector forced the Cypriot government to request an international bailout.
But the effect of the bank's capital increase was to dilute Dubai Group's stake significantly.
Dubai leads on hiring as confidence surges back - The National
More than half of Dubai financial recruiters plan to hire more permanent staff before the end of the year - the second-highest percentage globally.
An international survey of almost 2,200 finance executives for the recruiter Robert Half found 52 per cent of those questioned in Dubai intend to hire.
That is slightly less than Brazil at 57 per cent but substantially more than the global average of just 24 per cent.
An international survey of almost 2,200 finance executives for the recruiter Robert Half found 52 per cent of those questioned in Dubai intend to hire.
That is slightly less than Brazil at 57 per cent but substantially more than the global average of just 24 per cent.
Mursi rules out currency devaluation, new taxes | GulfNews.com
Egypt’s president said on Monday he would not impose new taxes or devalue the country’s currency and that his government would rely instead on investment, tourism and exports to fix an economy ravaged by a year and a half of political turmoil.
Mohammad Mursi, 61, has a window of opportunity to push through economic change while he still commands political goodwill 50 days into his tenure as Egypt’s first freely elected president, economists say.
Yet he must tread carefully to avoid angering a population that rose up to topple Hosni Mubarak last year partly because of high inflation and the widespread belief that the fast economic growth in the last years of the former president’s rule was not reaching the poor.
Mohammad Mursi, 61, has a window of opportunity to push through economic change while he still commands political goodwill 50 days into his tenure as Egypt’s first freely elected president, economists say.
Yet he must tread carefully to avoid angering a population that rose up to topple Hosni Mubarak last year partly because of high inflation and the widespread belief that the fast economic growth in the last years of the former president’s rule was not reaching the poor.