Abu Dhabi developers Aldar and Sorouh recover further
June 6, 2012--The ADX General Index gained 0.10% to reach 2,435.19 Wednesday, as data compiled by the UAE National Statistics Bureau exposed Abu Dhabi's significant contribution to the 2011-rise of 4.2% in the Gulf state's real GDP.
According to National Bank of Abu Dhabi or NBAD, "UAE real GDP growth rate was +4.2% y-o-y, up from +1.3% in 2010. The rise in oil and gas sector output accounted for 49% of overall real GDP growth, while trade, construction, transport and communication, and manufacturing were some of the other sectors driving growth." Abu Dhabi harbours some 8% of the world's known oil reserves and nine tenth's of the UAE's "black gold". Shares of Aldar Properties soared 1.85% to reach Dhs1.09, while Sorouh Real Estate jumped two percent, finishing at Dhs1.02. Some 46m shares were traded, valued at Dhs61.3m.
Source: AME Info
Qtel advances as telco giant takes majority stake in Iraq's Asiacell
June 06, 2012--The Qatar Exchange's market measure QE 20 gained a quarter percentage point, closing at 8,342.51 Wednesday.
The gauge ended a week-long losing streak thanks to gains of market bellwether Industries Qatar (up 0.76% at QR133.40) and of Qatar Telecom, known as Qtel (advancing half a percentage point at QR112.50). Earlier in the day Qtel announced it has increased its stake in Iraqi telco operator Asiacell to 60%. In a statement to the Qatar Bourse, Qtel said it "has agreed to increase its shareholding to 60% for a total consideration of $1.47bn. Qtel will initially increase its ownership in Asiacell to only 53.9%, the further increase in shareholding is subject to Iraqi Government and Regulatory Authority approval." The transaction will be financed from existing funds, the firm said. The statement added that "Asiacell has already delivered significant value to its shareholders and is expected to continue to do so. (...) we continue to work hard on preparing for Asiacell’s landmark IPO planned for later this year. Asiacell is a very important company for the Qtel Group. We continue to expand our regional footprint and diversification of our revenue sources. More than 80% of Qtel Group’s revenues are now generated outside Qatar."
Source: AME Info
Dubai market edges up amid low trading volumes
June 06, 2012--The Dubai market DFM closed 0.43% higher at 1,455.96 points, as Emaar gained 0.35% to reach Dhs2.84.
Gulf Finance House plummeted two percent to hit Dhs0.54. Tamweel closed flat at Dhs1.12. The market rose in line with a rebound in Europe, as the European Central Bank (ECB)'s rate decision. Around 55m shares were traded, valued at Dhs71.6m.
Source: AME Info
Batelco helps Bahrain Bourse to halt decline
June 06, 2012--The Bahrain All-Share Index added 0.10%, ending at 1,132.17 points Wednesday.
Bahrain Telecom, known as Batelco, added 0.42% to reach BD0.474. Aluminum Bahrain or Alba and Ahli United Bank closed unchanged. Year-to-date, the Bahrain Bourse fell by one percent amid ongoing political uncertainty in the Kingdom.
Source: AME Info
Even when reigonal markets rebound, the Qatar Exchange is left behind
June 05, 2012--The Doha-based QE 20 Index slipped 0.13% to 8,322.19 Tuesday, despite modest gains at most other GCC equity markets.
All sector indexes with the exception of the transport segment ended in the red. Qatar Islamic Bank and Qatar Navigation bucked the sluggish market trend and added 0.40% and 0.50%, respectively.
Source: AME Info
Arkan Building Materials, Aldar Properties lift Abu Dhabi bourse
June 05, 2012--A sharp last-minute rise lifted the ADX General by half a percentage point to 2,433.39 points Tuesday.
Arkan Building Materials posted the largest jump , adding 7.89% to hit Dhs0.83. Aldar Properties was the most active share by value, gaining 3.85% to finish at Dhs1.10. Bellwetehr Etisalat closed unchanged. Market breadth was positive as the advance/decline-ratio ended 2 to 1. Around 80m stocks worth Dhs99.5m changed hands.
Source: AME Info
Asian input helps Dubai market to re-gain territory
June 05, 2012--The DFM General Index broke a frustrating losing streak Tuesday, closing 0.90% higher at 1,449.80 points.
East Asian indexes rebounded on hopes global policy makers would follow Australia's Reserve Bank in taking measures to stimulate markets, Bloomberg reported. Bahrain's Gulf Finance House or GFH gained the most (up 4.55% at Dhs0.551). Earlier in the day, the Islamic investment bank said a high-level Turkish delegation visited GFH's "Tunis Financial Harbour", which is under construction, in order strengthen a strategic co-operation. The UAE's first real estate developer Emaar Properties, as the most liquid share, added 2.54% to hit Dhs2.83. Seventeen shares gained, four declined and four closed flat. Some 89.3m shares were traded, valued at Dhs89.9m.
Source: AME Info
Iran trade sanctions hurt UAE
June 05, 2012--The UAE's has said international financial sanctions against Iran are hurting its trade with the Islamic Republic, Reuters has reported.
“Trade with Iran was always with consumable items…We should not really stop that. The issue is with the financial transactions…regarding that, it has been affected,” the UAE’s economy minister Sultan bin Saeed Al-Mansouri told a news conference. “If you want to export 20 tonnes of rice, the financial system does not allow you to do that,” Al-Mansouri said without providing further details.
Source: AME Info
Bahrain Bourse slips by a quarter percentage point
June 5, 2012--The Manama-based market has not picked in trading activity in 2012, as nine tenths of listed stocks are not listed on a daily basis.
On Tuesday, the Bahrain All Share Index fell 0.25% to close at 1,131.46 points. Al-Ahlia Insurance advanced 2.58% to hit BD0.318. National Bank of Bahrain lost the most (off3.64% at BD0.530.
Source: AME Info
Tadawul market recovery continued
June 04, 2012--The Saudi Stock Exchange's benchmark index TASI gained for the second consecutive trading session Monday.
The gauge added 0.33% and finished at 6,770.19 points, although market breadth was negative. Forty-nine out of 152 symbols traded advanced, while 19 declined and 24 securities closed unchanged. The rebound in Riyadh occured despite heavy losses in East Asia and Europe as concerns over the global economy dominate investors' sentiments.
Source: AME Info