DUBAI: Dubai blue chip Emaar Properties continued to rebound in heavy trade on Thursday but regional stock markets were mostly lacklustre, partly because of weak global bourses and oil prices.
Emaar, which had been trading near 14-month lows, surged 3.2 percent on Wednesday as some funds returned to the stock, apparently attracted by undemanding valuations compared to emerging market peers.
On Thursday the stock climbed a further 1.8 percent in its heaviest volume this year. However, this failed to lift Dubai’s stock index, which was flat as declining issues outnumbered gainers by 20 to nine.
Saudi Arabia’s index edged up 0.3 percent. Al Jazira Bank closed 0.5 percent lower after the securities regulator approved its request to conduct a 3 billion riyal ($800 million) rights issue.
Saudi Industrial Export Co, which had soared 77 percent in highly speculative trade over the past six days, fell back 10 percent in its heaviest volume since 2013.
In Qatar, the index dropped 0.3 percent as Qatar Islamic Bank went ex-dividend, tumbling 4.1 percent.
But Commercial Bank jumped 5.8 percent. Sources told Reuters on Tuesday that the bank had agreed in principle to sell its 40 percent stake in Abu Dhabi-listed United Arab Bank to United Arab Emirates-based Tabarak Investment.
The sale will be finalized shortly with a formal announcement to be made next month, the sources said, declining to be named as the matter is not yet public.
Emaar continues rebound but Dubai, regional markets mostly move little
Emaar continues rebound but Dubai, regional markets mostly move little
Lloyd’s market engaging with US government over Gulf maritime plan, officials say
LONDON: The Lloyd’s of London market is engaging with the US government’s International Development Finance Corporation over a plan to provide political risk insurance and guarantees for maritime trade in the Gulf, Lloyd’s market officials said on Thursday.
“Lloyd’s is engaging constructively with the US Development Finance Corporation and relevant stakeholders, with a clear focus on ensuring that the Lloyd’s market continues to lead as the global center of excellence for war risk insurance,” a Lloyd’s spokesperson said.
The Lloyd’s Market Association, which represents the interests of all underwriting businesses in the Lloyd’s market, welcomed the engagement of US President Donald Trump, its CEO Sheila Cameron said separately in a statement on Thursday.
“Since Sunday 1 March, there have been at least 40 transits of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. There remain approximately 1,000 vessels, approximately half of which are oil and gas tankers, with an aggregate hull value exceeding $25 billion in the Persian/Arabian Gulf and surrounding waters,” Cameron said, citing data.
Cameron added that the vast majority of these vessels were insured in the London market and insurance “currently remains in place.”
Insurance broker Marsh said on Wednesday it had met with US officials to explore solutions for restoring maritime trade.
The US Navy could begin escorting oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz if necessary, Trump said on Tuesday, adding he had ordered the International Development Finance Corporation to provide political risk insurance guarantees for maritime trade in the Gulf.
Earlier this week, London’s marine insurance market widened the area in the Gulf it deems as high risk as the conflict in the Middle East escalates.
