Monday, 1 May 2017

MIDEAST STOCKS-Markets rise, Amanat dominates Dubai trading | Reuters

MIDEAST STOCKS-Markets rise, Amanat dominates Dubai trading | Reuters:

"Most Gulf stock markets rose on Monday, with shares in healthcare and education investment company Amanat Holdings accounting for more than 40 percent of Dubai's market volume with a 4.5 percent rise.

The Dubai index rose 0.8 percent with Amanat, the most active stock, seeing its heaviest trade since November. The low-priced stock, which is sometimes the target of short-term speculation, will go ex-dividend on May 4.

Shares in Aramex lost 1.5 percent after the courier reported a 5 percent fall in quarterly profit due to a rise in provisions related to its incentive scheme. Profit was 91.8 million dirhams; EFG Hermes and SICO Bahrain had forecast 109.1 million dirhams and 105.6 million dirhams."



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Dubai Aerospace Enterprise signs 10-plane India deal | The National

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise signs 10-plane India deal | The National:

"The aircraft leasing company Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) has signed long-term lease agreements for 10 ATR 72-600 aircraft with Alliance Air, a wholly owned subsidiary of Air India.

The aircraft are scheduled to deliver throughout 2017 and will be used to grow Alliance’s network and to serve underserved or unserved airports throughout India as part of the Indian Government’s focus on regional air access through the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS). Alliance Air is one of five airlines selected to serve routes under this scheme.


DAE is among the world’s leading lessors of ATR 72-600 aircraft and has 57 owned and committed ATR72-600s in its fleet. ATR, a France-based aircraft maker, manufactures two sizes of turboprop aircraft, the 70-seat ATR 72 and the 50-seat ATR 42. The firm has sold more than 1,500 aircraft and has over 200 operators in more than 100 countries."



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Two consortiums lodge final bids for Australia's Endeavour Energy: sources | Reuters

Two consortiums lodge final bids for Australia's Endeavour Energy: sources | Reuters:

"Australian state-owned power grid Endeavour Energy has attracted final bids from two consortiums comprised of local and foreign investors, and a decision on the expected A$4 billion ($2.99 billion) deal could come within a week, sources said.

The offers from consortiums led by Macquarie Group (MQG.AX) and Hastings Funds Management for a majority stake in the utility are binding and follow weeks of due diligence, according to two sources involved in the process.

Endeavour is being sold by New South Wales state as part of a broader privatization program to fund infrastructure development, at a time when foreign investment in sensitive assets like power grids and ports is facing increased scrutiny on national security grounds.

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First Abu Dhabi Bank Mulls Expanding to Saudi, CEO Tells Khaleej - Bloomberg

First Abu Dhabi Bank Mulls Expanding to Saudi, CEO Tells Khaleej - Bloomberg:

"First Abu Dhabi Bank is "seriously studying" expanding into Saudi Arabia, either through acquisitions or a new license, its chief executive officer told Al Khaleej newspaper.

All opportunities for local and foreign acquisitions are open to the bank, Abdulhamid Saeed, said in an interview with the Arabic daily. First Abu Dhabi Bank was created with the merger of National Bank of Abu Dhabi PJSC and First Gulf Bank PJSC, the United Arab Emirates’ two largest lenders by market value."



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Oil slips below $52 as U.S. drilling, China worries weigh | Reuters

Oil slips below $52 as U.S. drilling, China worries weigh | Reuters:

"Oil edged below $52 a barrel on Monday as rising crude output and drilling in the United States countered OPEC-led production cuts aimed at clearing a supply glut.

U.S. drillers added nine oil rigs in the week to April 28, bringing the count to the most since April 2015, energy services company Baker Hughes said on Friday. Crude output C-OUT-T-EIA in the United States has hit its highest since August 2015, government data shows.

"The U.S. rig count indicates that there is plenty more to come," analysts at JBC Energy said in a report, referring to the outlook for U.S. production."



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MIDEAST STOCKS-Gulf moves narrowly, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank up on earnings | Reuters

MIDEAST STOCKS-Gulf moves narrowly, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank up on earnings | Reuters:

"Gulf stock markets moved narrowly in early, quiet trade on Monday although Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) rose after better-than-expected earnings for the first quarter.

The Abu Dhabi stock index edged up 0.01 percent as ADCB added 1.5 percent; it posted an 8 percent rise in first-quarter profit to 1.11 billion dirhams ($302.2 million), while analysts polled by Reuters had on average forecast 995.4 million dirhams.

Dubai's index fell 0.3 percent as courier Aramex lost 1.1 percent after reporting a 5 percent fall in quarterly profit due to a rise in provisions related to its incentive scheme. Profit was 91.8 million dirhams; EFG Hermes and SICO Bahrain had forecast 109.1 million dirhams and 105.6 million dirhams."



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