Middle EastKuwait wealth fund reaches initial agreement on KPC dividends - source
Ahmed Hagagy
3 minutes read
Kuwait s sovereign wealth fund has reached an initial agreement with Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) on new payment terms for over $20 billion in accrued dividends, a government source said, as the Gulf state seeks ways to counter a liquidity squeeze.
KPC has owed for years about 7 billion Kuwaiti dinars ($23 billion) in dividends to the General Reserve Fund (GRF), one of Kuwait s sovereign funds.
GRF, which is used to cover state deficits, has been squeezed by the coronavirus-driven drop in oil prices and a continued stand-off between government and parliament on implementing measures such as a law to allow state borrowing.
Middle EastMIDEAST STOCKS Major Gulf indexes make mixed start, with Qatar gaining
Reuters
3 minutes read
Major Gulf share markets were mixed on Monday, with the Qatari index boosted by Commercial Bank (COMB.QA), while Saudi Arabia s benchmark index (.TASI) slipped 0.4%.
In the Saudi market, Al Rajhi Bank (1120.SE) fell 0.5%, while Saudi National Bank (1180.SE), the kingdom s largest lender, retreated 1.7% and Arriyadh Development (4150.SE) dropped 2.4%, as the stock went ex-dividend.
However, Yanbu National Petrochemicals Company (2290.SE) climbed by more than 2%, after it reported a sharp surge in its quarterly profit.
In Dubai, the main share index (.DFMGI) fell 0.5%, hit by a 1.5% fall in Emaar Properties (EMAR.DU), Dubai s largest listed real estate developer which will go ex-dividend on Tuesday, and a 0.9% slip in Emirates NBD Bank (ENBD.DU).
Middle EastMIDEAST STOCKS Most major Gulf markets rise; Qatar dips
Reuters
3 minutes read
A Saudi trader observes the stock market on monitors at Falcom stock exchange agency in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia February 7, 2018. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser
Most major stock markets in the Gulf rose in early trade on Sunday, with property shares boosting the Dubai index, although Qatar bucked the trend to trade lower.
Saudi Arabia s benchmark index (.TASI) added 0.6%, with Al Rajhi Bank (1120.SE) rising 1.4% and SABIC Agri-Nutrients Co (2020.SE) advancing 3.9%.
Elsewhere, Bank Albilad (1140.SE) climbed 1%, as the lender completed a 3 billion riyal sukuk offering.
Dubai s main share index (.DFMGI) rose 0.7%, led by a 2.3% rise in Emaar Properties (EMAR.DU) and a 3.2% jump in Emaar Malls (EMAA.DU).
Middle EastMIDEAST STOCKS Qatar shares outperform as cap on foreign ownership removed
Ateeq Shariff
3 minutes read
Major Gulf stock markets registered sharp gains on Thursday, boosted by financials, with Qatar outperforming the region after it approved a bill to allow non-Qatari investors to own up to 100% of listed companies capital.
In Qatar, the benchmark (.QSI) closed 2.8% higher, its biggest intraday gain since last April, with banks leading the gains.
Qatar Islamic Bank (QISB.QA) leapt 8.3%, and Commercial Bank (COMB.QA) surged 10%, to become the top gainer on the index.
The cabinet also decided to keep central bank liquidity support for local banks based on need as the country faces a second wave of coronavirus infections.
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