Most stock markets in the Gulf ended higher on Wednesday, largely on the back of corporate earnings with the Dubai index leading the gains.
The Qatari benchmark (QSI) added 0.1% © Mena Today
Most stock markets in the Gulf ended higher on Wednesday, largely on the back of corporate earnings with the Dubai index leading the gains.
Dubai's main share index advanced 1.8%, with Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) jumping 7.7% - its biggest intraday gain since June 2020 - after reporting upbeat full-year earnings.
DIB, the biggest Islamic lender in the United Arab Emirates, on Tuesday reported a 24% increase in full-year attributable net profit to 6.80 billion dirhams ($1.85 billion) from a year earlier
Also, the lender raised its 2023 dividend proposal to 45% versus 30% for the year 2022.
Elsewhere, top lender Emirates NBD (ENBD.DU) closed 4.8% higher, ahead of its earnings announcement.
Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) gained 0.6%, led by a 1.7% rise in Etihad Atheeb Telecommunication(7040.SE) and a 1.4% increase in auto rental firm Lumi (4262.SE).
Elsewhere, oil giant Saudi Aramco (2222.SE) edged 0.2% higher.
Oil - which fuels the Gulf's economy - steadied, with Brent trading near $80 a barrel, as a Chinese economic stimulus package and geopolitical tensions were offset by concerns over tepid demand and a stronger dollar.
Separately, Saudi-based Middle East Pharmaceutical Industries Company, known as Avalon Pharma, priced its initial public offering (IPO) at the top of its range, selling the shares at 82 riyals ($21.87) each on Wednesday.
In Abu Dhabi, the index (.FTFADGI) finished flat.
The Qatari benchmark (.QSI) added 0.1%, with petrochemical maker Industries Qatar gaining 2.7%.
However, Islamic lender Masraf Al Rayan (MARK.QA) declined 3.8%, after reporting a 8% increase in 2023 profit.
Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30) rose 0.3%, with Talaat Mostafa Holding (TMGH.CA) leaping 8.4%.
Meanwhile, Egyptian economic growth will be slower than previously expected as its pound weakens, inflation cuts into purchasing power and fallout from the Gaza crisis eats into the country's main sources of foreign currency, a Reuters poll showed on Wednesday.
Reporting by Ateeq Shariff
Qatar has called for more time to allow diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran to bear fruit, as the region holds its breath over the fate of negotiations that could determine whether the Middle East slides further into conflict.
A drone strike caused a fire at a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates, officials there said on Sunday, while Saudi Arabia reported intercepting three drones, as U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Iran must act "fast" after efforts to end the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran appeared to have stalled.
ADNOC's six listed subsidiaries posted a resilient first quarter, generating combined revenues of $11.8 billion, EBITDA of $3.7 billion and net profit of $2.2 billion, a strong set of numbers for a period marked by extraordinary disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.
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