Logistics Aramex quarterly profit hit hard by Dubai floods The net profits of Dubai-listed courier company Aramex fell 85 percent in the second quarter of 2024 due to flooding in the emirate, leading to operational disruptions and a slowdown in business. Earnings for the second quarter stood at AED2.9 million ($789,558), compared to AED18.9 million a year earlier. Revenue for the three months rose […] August 9, 2024
Aviation Etihad profit surges 48% on higher passenger volume Etihad Airways said net profit rose 48 percent year on year in the first half of 2024, driven by a rise in passenger numbers and new destinations. The Abu Dhabi-headquartered airline posted a profit of AED851 million ($232 million) in the first six months, up from AED575 million in the same period last year. Total […] August 9, 2024
Real Estate Emaar revenue jumps 17% as Dubai real estate thrives Emaar Properties, the largest developer in Dubai, reported a net profit attributable to equity holders of AED5.3 billion ($1.4 billion) in the first half of 2024, a year-on-year increase of 8 percent. Revenue jumped 17 percent year on year to AED14.4 billion, thanks to high investor confidence and robust demand in Dubai’s real estate market. […] August 8, 2024
Logistics Adnoc L&S profit rises as revenue grows 42% Net earnings at Adnoc Logistics and Services (Adnoc L&S) jumped 31 percent year on year to AED1.5 billion ($401 million) in the first half of 2024. Revenues hit AED6.4 billion during the period, rising 42 percent year on year. Second-quarter revenue increased 42 percent annually to AED3.3 billion, helping profit grow 28 percent to […] August 8, 2024
Retail Spinneys profit grows 18% with help from online sales Profits at UAE supermarket operator Spinneys surged 18 percent year on year to AED146 million ($40 million) in the first half of 2024. Strong growth in online sales helped raise revenues, which increased by 10 percent year on year to AED1.6 billion. The company also opened two new branches in Dubai, the first standalone dining concept […] August 8, 2024
Health Burjeel profits drop despite jump in patient footfall Hospital operator Burjeel Holdings said net profits for the first six months of 2024 fell 25 percent year on year to AED169 million ($46 million), despite annual revenue rising 9 percent to AED2.4 billion. Patient footfall increased to three million in the first six months, an increase of 11 percent in the second quarter. Abu […] August 8, 2024
Logistics Apollo buys 50% interest in Oman maritime terminal Apollo Global Management, listed on the New York Stock Exchange, will acquire a 50 percent interest in Vale Oman Distribution Center (VODC) from Brazilian miner Vale for $600 million. The stake was purchased jointly by Apollo-managed affiliates, funds and other long-term investors, the global alternative asset manager said in a statement. NewsletterGet the Best of […] August 8, 2024
Oil & Gas Arab nations attract $406bn in oil and gas investments Arab countries’ oil and gas sectors received investments totalling $406 billion between January 2003 and May 2024. The investments spanned 610 projects and involved 356 foreign and Arab companies, the UAE state-run Wam news agency reported, citing a report by the Arab Investment and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (Dhaman). The United States was the biggest […] August 8, 2024
Banking and Finance IHC H1 profit up $3.4bn as revenue rises 46% Revenues at Abu Dhabi conglomerate International Holding Company (IHC) surged 46 percent for the first half of 2024 to AED41.7 billion ($11.3 billion). The company said it was due to sustained growth in its technology, real estate and construction, marine and dredging, and hospitality and leisure divisions. Net profits were up 18 percent to AED12.3 […] August 7, 2024
Oil & Gas Petro Rabigh’s turnaround hinges on Aramco’s support Saudi Aramco and Japanese company Sumitomo Chemical will inject new funds into Rabigh Refining and Petrochemical Company (Petro Rabigh), as well as waive loans, in a bid to support the Saudi refinery’s turnaround strategy. As part of its plan to strengthen Petro Rabigh’s financial position, Aramco will acquire a 22.5 percent stake in the company from […] August 7, 2024
Aviation Dubai Airports raises 2024 traffic forecast to 91.8m Dubai Airports, the operator of the world’s busiest international hub, has revised its annual passenger forecast for 2024, projecting a record 91.8 million passengers, up from the 91 million forecast in May this year. This revision follows an 8 percent year-on-year increase in passenger numbers during the first six months, totalling nearly 45 million. “We […] August 7, 2024
Finance Saudi and UAE commit to debt rollover for Pakistan Saudi Arabia, the UAE and China have confirmed their debt rollover for one year to support Pakistan’s $7 billion bailout package with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a media report said. The rollover amount will be the same as last year, Bloomberg reported, quoting Pakistan’s finance minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. Islamabad has $12 billion in bilateral […] August 7, 2024
Real Estate Empower revenues surge on growing real estate demand Dubai-listed Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation, also known as Empower, posted an 11 percent year-on-year increase in revenue to AED814 million ($222 million) in the second quarter of 2024. The rise was fuelled by high demand and growing occupancy rates in housing projects. Net profit attributable to shareholders fell 6 percent to AED221 million in […] August 7, 2024
Economy Turkey ups FDI forecast to $14bn after FATF removal Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Turkey is expected to reach $12-14 billion in 2024, compared to $10 billion in 2023, following the country’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) ‘grey list’. Foreign investment has increased following removal from the Paris-based watchdog’s list and subsequent improvements in the country’s credit rating, Turkey’s investment office […] August 6, 2024
Oil & Gas Saudi Aramco pays $31bn dividend despite profit drop Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil producer, reported a 9 percent decline in net profit to SAR212 billion ($56 billion) in the first half of 2024 due to lower crude oil volumes sold, weakening refining margins and lower finance income. Despite this, the Saudi-listed oil major announced a dividend of SAR116 billion ($31 billion) in the […] August 6, 2024
Economy Bahrain’s economy expands on non-oil sector growth Bahrain’s economy expanded by 3.3 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2024, thanks to growth in non-oil sectors, especially accommodation and food service. The non-oil sector grew by 3.3 percent, accounting for 86 percent of overall GDP in the first three months of 2024, state-run Bahrain News Agency reported, citing finance ministry’s […] August 6, 2024
Logistics DP World’s London Gateway to become UK’s largest seaport The official launch this month of a new berth at London Gateway Port makes the facility the UK’s largest seaport, with operator DP World outlining plans for three more berths. The port, which currently handles 2.4 million containers, will expand its capacity to 3.4 million containers with the opening of berth 4, the UAE state-run […] August 6, 2024
Renewable Energy Acwa Power profit surges on divestment gains Saudi Arabian renewable energy company Acwa Power reported a net profit of SAR927 million ($247 million) in the first half of 2024, up 35 percent from SAR684 million a year ago. Revenue increased by 3 percent year on year to SAR2.8 billion, driven by a gain from divestment and higher finance and other income. The […] August 6, 2024
Tourism GCC tourists spent $4bn in Saudi Arabia last year Nine million visitors from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries spent more than SAR15 billion ($4 billion) in Saudi Arabia last year, as the kingdom expands its portfolio of tourism attractions. Bahrain was the top GCC source market, with 3.4 million tourists, the state-run Saudi Press Agency reported, citing the tourism ministry’s annual statistics report. […] August 5, 2024
Oil & Gas Swedish company secures $156m for Omani oil blocks The Omani unit of Stockholm-headquartered Tethys Oil has secured funding from a UAE bank for its oil exploration blocks in the sultanate. Tethys Oil Block 3&4 Limited secured a five-year OR60 ($156 million) loan facility from Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank to support capital expenditure for blocks 3 and 4 in Oman. The loans drawn under […] August 5, 2024
Oil & Gas Adnoc Drilling revenue surges with fleet expansion Adnoc Drilling, listed on the Abu Dhabi stock exchange, reported record revenue of $935 million for the second quarter of 2024. The 29 percent year-on-year increase was thanks to fleet expansion and oilfield services. Net profit for the quarter rose 29 percent annually to $295 million, while profit for the first half of the year […] August 5, 2024
Oil & Gas European regulator approves Oman’s $1.6bn LNG project The European Commission has approved a $1.6 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Oman’s Sohar Port. The project, which is being jointly developed by Oman energy investment company OQ and France’s TotalEnergies, is unlikely to raise competition concerns due to its limited impact on the European economic area, the Oman Daily Observer reported, quoting […] August 5, 2024