LUXEMBOURG: German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble, the euro zone’s most influential official, said he was confident that Greece will win sorely needed funds at bailout talks on Thursday.
“I remain confident that we will find an agreement today on the payment of the latest tranche (of Greece’s bailout),” Schaeuble said as he arrived for talks in Luxembourg to discuss the delayed Greek bailout with his eurozone counterparts.
Although Athens will likely have to wait for a long-desired agreement on debt relief, officials said it would at least receive more “clarity” on debt commitments down the road.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde and the euro zone’s 19 finance ministers are meeting in Luxembourg with hopes riding high that the talks will secure the release of the latest tranche of Greece’s €86 billion ($97 billion) bailout agreed in 2015.
Bitter disagreement between Germany and the IMF has held up the payout of a fresh tranche for Athens to meet €7 billion of debt repayments due in July.
“It’s a question of goodwill and it’s a question of willingness. If everyone around the table makes a very slight and positive move in the right direction we should be able to find an agreement today,” said French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire.
The IMF, which took part in Greece’s two previous bailouts, has long insisted that more debt relief be part of a deal.
“I think that the IMF has to make their decision in or out,” said Hans Joerg Schelling, Austria finance minister.
“It is important for Greece for an access to (borrow money on) the markets and therefore in my opinion they have to say yes or no,” he said.
Debt talks could begin as early as October, he added.
Germany ‘confident’ of Greece bailout deal
Germany ‘confident’ of Greece bailout deal
Closing Bell: Saudi equities continue 4-day upward trend
RIYADH: Saudi equities closed higher on Wednesday, with the Tadawul All Share Index rising 51.52 points, or 0.47 percent, to finish at 10,945.15.
Trading activity was robust, with 373.9 million shares exchanged and total turnover reaching SR6.81 billion.
The MT30 Index also ended the session in positive territory, advancing 11.93 points, or 0.82 percent, to 1,472.82, while the Nomu Parallel Market Index declined 116.82 points, or 0.49 percent, to 23,551.47, reflecting continued volatility in the parallel market.
The main market saw 90 gainers against 171 decliners, indicating selective buying.
On the upside, Al Kathiri Holding Co. led gainers, closing at SR2.18, up SR0.12, or 5.83 percent. Wafrah for Industry and Development Co. advanced to SR23, gaining SR0.99, or 4.5 percent, while Al Ramz Real Estate Co. rose 4.35 percent to close at SR60.
SABIC Agri-Nutrients Co. added 4.21 percent to SR118.70, and Al Jouf Agricultural Development Co. climbed 4.12 percent to SR45.
Meanwhile, losses were led by Saudi Industrial Export Co., which fell 9.73 percent to SR2.69. United Cooperative Assurance Co. declined 5.08 percent to SR3.74, while Thimar Development Holding Co. dropped 4.54 percent to SR35.30.
Abdullah Saad Mohammed Abo Moati for Bookstores Co. retreated 4.15 percent to SR48.50, and Gulf Union Alahlia Cooperative Insurance Co. slipped 3.96 percent to SR10.44.
On the announcement front, Saudi National Bank announced its intention to issue US dollar-denominated Additional Tier 1 capital notes under its existing international capital programe, with the final size and terms to be determined subject to market conditions and regulatory approvals.
The planned issuance aims to strengthen Tier 1 capital and support the bank’s broader financial and strategic objectives.
The stock closed at SR42.70, gaining SR0.70, or 1.67 percent, reflecting positive investor reaction to the capital management move.
Separately, Almasane Alkobra Mining Co. said its board approved the establishment of a wholly owned simplified joint stock company to provide drilling, exploration and related support services, with a share capital of SR100 million and headquarters in Najran, subject to regulatory approvals.
The new subsidiary aligns with the company’s strategy to enhance operational efficiency and expand its role in the Kingdom’s mining sector.
Shares of Almasane Alkobra Mining closed at SR98.70, up SR0.30, or 0.3 percent, by the end of the session.
