DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ New Activision QA union is the largest in the video game industry
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-09 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A group of roughly 600 software testers at Activision on Friday formed the U.S. video game industry's largest union so far. The union is the first to organize under a new labor agreement negotiated as part of Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of Activision in October, the company's largest takeover yet. Activision Quality Assurance United-CWA, the name of the union, is seeking higher wages and more career opportunities, QA tester Kara Fannon said in a statement. Before the Microsoft-Activision deal closed, QA workers at the video game-maker's Albany branch had also formed a union. "QA is currently an undervalued discipline in the games and software industries," the Albany wrote on social media at the time.

Persons: Bobby Kotick, Amy Pannoni, Kara Fannon, Claude Cummings Jr Organizations: Activision Blizzard, Allen, Co, Activision, Microsoft, Assurance United, CWA, Communications Workers of America, Labor, Big Tech Locations: Sun Valley , Idaho, U.S, Microsoft's, California , Texas, Minnesota, Albany

☆ Inside Smashmallow, Silicon Valley's Failed Marshmallow Startup
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Adam Rogers | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +20 min

"We wanted a marshmallow to have a little bite to it, not just be a foamy air," he says. Jon Sebastiani, Smashmallow founderSmashmallow had a killer brand — but the product was still basically being made one batch at a time, on kitchen counters. If Smashmallow couldn't produce enough marshmallows, Tanis wouldn't get its dough. The thing is, even though Smashmallow failed, Sebastiani didn't. "In that industry, a snackable marshmallow is a Smashmallow, like a copy machine is a Xerox," says Kwasniewski.

Persons: Jon Sebastiani, Sebastiani, Krave, jonesing, marshmallows, Liam Eisenberg, aerated, Cook, Jens Hoj, Hoj, Smashmallow, he'd, It's, Theranos, wasn't, Elizabeth Holmes, Tanis, Wolfgang Confectioners, Smashmallow Smashmallow, Wolfgang, Tanis wouldn't, Smashmallow couldn't, Richard Hartel, Sebastiani didn't, David Kwasniewski, Kwasniewski, Smashmallows, it's, Adam Rogers Organizations: Hershey, Michelin, BI, Kraft, Target, Walmart, Doumak, Workers, University of Wisconsin, Area, Xerox, marshmallows, Business Locations: Paris, California, Sonoma, Hershey, Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, Hobart, Chicago, Las Vegas, Netherlands, Tanis, Pennsylvania, America, Sonoma Capital, Smashmallow, Santa Rosa, San Francisco, Colorado, North America

Washington CNN —A US military strike on Wednesday in Baghdad killed a Kataib Hezbollah commander who was responsible for attacks on American forces in the region, according to US Central Command. A US official said the strike was part of the response President Joe Biden authorized last week in response to the Jordan attack. As of Tuesday, there had been at least 168 attacks on US and coalition forces in Iraq, Syria and Jordan. In addition to the three soldiers killed in the Jordan attack, three other service members were medically evacuated to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. The Iraqi government said the US’ strikes killed at least 16 people, including civilians.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jordan, Biden, –, Sabrina Singh, ”, “, CNN’s MJ Lee, Kevin Liptak Organizations: Washington CNN, US Central Command, Central Command, Command, Local, CNN, White, Iraqi Popular Mobilization, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Pentagon, Regional Medical Center, Iraq’s, US, United Locations: Baghdad, Iran, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Germany, ”, United States, Anbar Governorate

CNN —US officials said Monday that Iraq was not notified ahead of a series of strikes on Iran-linked targets in the country, contradicting earlier statements that the Iraqi government was notified before the strikes occurred. We informed the Iraqis immediately after the strikes occurred,” State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said at a briefing on Monday. “Iraq, like every country in the region, understood that there would be a response after the deaths of our soldiers,” he noted. In a statement to CNN, Kirby said he “responded with information that I had been provided at the time” after the strikes on Friday. “For operational security reasons, we did not provide any kind of official pre-notification with specific details on these strikes,” the spokesperson said.

Persons: Vedant Patel, ”, John Kirby, Kirby, “, Pat Ryder, ” Ryder, we’ll Organizations: CNN, ” State Department, National Security, State Department, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, United, Pentagon Locations: Iraq, Iran, “ Iraq, Syria, Jordan, United States, Anbar Governorate, Iranian

☆ How much TikTok pays employees in the US, from data scientists to software engineers, according to salary data
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Ashley Rodriguez | Dan Whateley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +109 min

Some examples of salary offers for corporate functions include:AdvertisementAccountant, Expense Management : $73,000: $73,000 HR Business Partner : $127,680 median; ranging from $90,000 to $182,880: $127,680 median; ranging from $90,000 to $182,880 HR Specialist: $114,000 median; ranging from $85,000 to $170,000DesignEmployees on the design team "shape the visual representation" of TikTok's products and business, creating "unique designs that are not just visually appealing, but also express the aesthetic of our brand," the company wrote. : $320,000: $320,000 Android Software Engineer, TikTok Monetization : $210,000: $210,000 Android Software Engineer, TikTok Privacy : $190,000: $190,000 Android Software Engineer, TikTok Social : $126,640 median; ranging from $65,000 to $288,000: $126,640 median; ranging from $65,000 to $288,000 Android Software Engineer, TikTok User Growth : $227,000 median; ranging from $221,000 to $233,000: $227,000 median; ranging from $221,000 to $233,000 Applied Machine Learning Engineer : $273,340 median; ranging from $180,000 to $306,000: $273,340 median; ranging from $180,000 to $306,000 Applied Machine Learning Engineer, Recommendation : $190,000: $190,000 AR Effects Interactive Engineer : $125,000: $125,000 AR Software Engineer : $125,000: $125,000 Audio Engineer : $75,000: $75,000 Backend Engineer : $128,000: $128,000 Backend Engineer, Ads Platform : $172,000 median; ranging from $125,000 to $240,000: $172,000 median; ranging from $125,000 to $240,000 Backend Engineer, Content Ecosystem : $222,360: $222,360 Backend Engineer, Lark Innovation : $160,000: $160,000 Backend Engineer, Machine Learning : $157,680 median; ranging from $157,680 to $175,000: $157,680 median; ranging from $157,680 to $175,000 Backend Engineer, Risk Systems : $295,000 median; ranging from $150,000 to $320,000: $295,000 median; ranging from $150,000 to $320,000 Backend Engineer, TikTok Ads Creative and Ecosystem : $250,000: $250,000 Backend Engineer, TikTok Ads Creativity and Ecosystem : $207,500 median; ranging from $175,000 to $240,000: $207,500 median; ranging from $175,000 to $240,000 Backend Engineer, TikTok Eng. : $220,000 median; ranging from $160,000 to $285,000 0 #NUM! Software Engineer, Computer Vision : $165,000 median; ranging from $165,000 to $200,000: $165,000 median; ranging from $165,000 to $200,000 Software Engineer, Computer Vision, Intelligent Creation : $200,000 median; ranging from $200,000 to $265,000: $200,000 median; ranging from $200,000 to $265,000 Software Engineer, Core Services : $204,000 median; ranging from $125,000 to $244,680: $204,000 median; ranging from $125,000 to $244,680 Software Engineer, Core Service, Application Security : $129,680: $129,680 Software Engineer, CRM : $175,000 median; ranging from $125,000 to $300,555: $175,000 median; ranging from $125,000 to $300,555 Software Engineer, Data Access Team : $230,000: $230,000 Software Engineer, Data Mining : $169,680: $169,680 Software Engineer, Data Mining USDS : $182,400: $182,400 Software Engineer, Data Platform : $186,000 median; ranging from $170,000 to $216,880: $186,000 median; ranging from $170,000 to $216,880 Software Engineer, Data Security and Compliance : $180,000: $180,000 Software Engineer, Database Kernel Development : $130,000 median; ranging from $128,000 to $220,000: $130,000 median; ranging from $128,000 to $220,000 Software Engineer, Distributed Storage System : $285,000 median; ranging from $180,000 to $285,000: $285,000 median; ranging from $180,000 to $285,000 Software Engineer, Engineering Productivity : $195,000: $195,000 Software Engineer, Front-End : $147,000: $147,000 Software Engineer, Front-End, Ads Technology : $125,000: $125,000 Software Engineer, Full Stack : $180,000: $180,000 Software Engineer, Full Stack, Ads Technology : $147,500 median; ranging from $125,000 to $170,000: $147,500 median; ranging from $125,000 to $170,000 Software Engineer, Full Stack, E-Commerce Engineering and Architecture : $205,000: $205,000 Software Engineer, Full Stack, Vertical Solutions : $220,000: $220,000 Software Engineer, Global E-Commerce Customer Business : $195,000 median; ranging from $133,240 to $225,000: $195,000 median; ranging from $133,240 to $225,000 Software Engineer, Global Payment : $161,000 median; ranging from $155,000 to $215,000: $161,000 median; ranging from $155,000 to $215,000 Software Engineer, Gov. and Experience, TikTok E-Commerce : $241,540 median; ranging from $219,680 to $263,400: $241,540 median; ranging from $219,680 to $263,400 Software Engineer, GPU Management : $128,000 $128,000 $128,000 0 #NUM!

Persons: —, It's, TikTok, it's, ByteDance, TikTok Eng, Tiktok Organizations: Service, Business, US, of Foreign Labor, Live, US Data Security, Security, US Department of Labor, Corporate, Employees, TikTok, Tech, Commerce, Marketing, Staff, Trust, Safety, Brand, Android Software, Computer, Global Agency Relations, Global Security Technology, Infrastructure Engineering, Android, Machine, Interactive, Systems, Data Systems, Engineer, Commerce Data Intelligence, Commerce Logistics, Chain, Logistics, Media, US Tech Services, Big, Business Intelligence, Protection, Network Security, Business Systems, Cash, Cloud, Networking Software, Public, Tech Service, Technology, Technology Systems, Infrastructure, Network Business, NA, Defense, US Tech Service, Analytics, Research, Mining, Solutions, Tech Services, Pico, Forensics, Development, Control, Financial, CRM, Global, Learning, Traffic, TCMS, Communications, Graphics, Monetization Technology, Management, Products, Resources, IDC Logistics, DevOps, IOS, GNE Global, Software, Procurement, Commerce Global, Strategic, Global Business, Merchant, Mobile Security, Mobile Software, Multimedia Research, Regional, Sound Engineering, Professional Services, Community, Relations, Real, Commerce Trading, Creative, Enterprise, Virtual Network, Storage, Data Security, Smart, Finance, ML Systems, Cloud Infrastructure, TikTok US Tech Services, Monetization Tech, Learning Systems, Core Services, Core Service, Data Mining, Engineering, Commerce Engineering, Mobile, Revenue Management Locations: ByteDance, TikTok, TikTok Commerce, America, Mexico, Americas, Commerce

☆ Kuwait rings up small bill in tower merger
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A three-way partnership deal will enable Qatar’s Ooredoo (ORDS.QA) to offload capital-intensive infrastructure but only by offering Kuwait’s Zain (ZAIN.KW) favourable deal terms. Ooredoo and Zain are creating a regional powerhouse with an estimated enterprise value of $2.2 billion to be managed by Zain-backed TASC Towers Holding. The $8.9 billion Ooredoo and $6.9 billion Zain will own 49.3% each, with the rest going to TASC. But Zain is paying an average price of $73,000 per tower, 9.5% less than the average price per tower in previous deals, according to JPMorgan analysts. The Kuwaiti group will also call the shots as the founders of Dubai’s TASC Towers Holding – which Zain controls with an 83.47% stake – will manage the new entity.

Persons: Qatar’s, Kuwait’s Zain, Zain, Ooredoo, Dubai’s, Pamela Barbaglia, Neiman Marcus, Francesco Guerrera, Oliver Taslic Organizations: Reuters, TASC, Bloomberg, JPMorgan, X, Saks, Thomson Locations: Algeria, Tunisia, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi, Kuwaiti, Hong Kong

☆ Most Gulf markets fall on weak oil; Saudi gains
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A general view shows the Dubai Financial Market after Joe Biden wins U.S. presidency, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates November 8, 2020. REUTERS/Christopher Pike/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsDec 3 (Reuters) - Most stock markets in the Gulf ended lower on Sunday, in response to Friday's fall in oil prices, although the Saudi index bucked the trend to close higher. Oil prices - a catalyst for the Gulf's financial markets - slumped more than 2% on Friday on investor scepticism over the depth of OPEC+ supply cuts and concern about sluggish global manufacturing activity. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) gained 0.4%, with oil giant Saudi Aramco (2222.SE) rising 0.5% and Arabian Pipes Co (2200.SE) advancing 5.4%. Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30) lost 0.7%, with Commercial International Bank (COMI.CA) declining 2%.

Persons: Joe Biden, Christopher Pike, Jerome Powell, Ateeq, Bernadette Baum, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Dubai Financial, United Arab Emirates, REUTERS, Qatar Islamic Bank, Saudi Aramco, Arabian Pipes, Federal, Gulf Cooperation Council, U.S ., Commercial International Bank, Thomson Locations: Dubai, United Arab, Saudi, OPEC, Saudi Arabia, Ateeq Shariff, Bengaluru

☆ Most Gulf markets in the red on falling oil prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Ateeq Shariff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A trader looks on near electronic boards showing stock market data at Bahrain Bourse after Joe Biden won the U.S. presidency, in Manama, Bahrain, November 8, 2020. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 26 (Reuters) - Stock markets in the Gulf ended lower on Sunday in response to Friday's fall in oil prices, although the Saudi index bucked the trend to trade higher. Oil - a catalyst for the Gulf's financial markets - fell on Friday as the release of some hostages in Gaza reduced the geopolitical risk premium. Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30) declined 0.8%, with top lender Commercial International Bank (COMI.CA) losing 2%. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) edged 0.1% higher, ending two sessions of losses, helped by a 1.2% rise in Elm Company (7203.SE).

Persons: Joe Biden, Hamad I Mohammed, Ateeq, Louise Heavens Organizations: Bahrain Bourse, U.S, REUTERS, Stock, Qatar Islamic Bank, Industries Qatar, Commercial International Bank, Elm Company, Thomson Locations: Bahrain, Manama, Saudi, Gaza, Qatar, OPEC, Saudi Arabia, Ateeq Shariff, Bengaluru

☆ Most Gulf markets gain on rising oil prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Ateeq Shariff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Christopher Pike Acquire Licensing RightsNov 19 (Reuters) - Most stock markets in the Gulf ended higher on Sunday in response to Friday's rise in oil prices, with the Saudi index rising for a fourth consecutive session. Oil prices - often a catalyst for the Gulf's financial market - jumped more than 4% on Friday, rebounding from a 4-month low, with U.S. sanctions on some Russian oil shippers lending support. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) gained 0.5%, with oil giant Saudi Aramco (2222.SE) gaining 0.3% and the country's biggest lender Saudi National Bank (1180.SE) advancing 1.5%. In Qatar, the index (.QSI) closed 0.2% higher, helped by a 1% rise in the Gulf's biggest lender Qatar National Bank (QNBK.QA). Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30) advanced 2.1%, buoyed by a 3.8% jump in Commercial International Bank (CIB) (COMI.CA).

Persons: Joe Biden, Christopher Pike, Kristalina Georgieva, Ateeq, Alex Richardson Organizations: Dubai Financial, United Arab Emirates, REUTERS, Saudi, Saudi Aramco, Saudi National Bank, Qatar National Bank, Gulf Cooperation Council, U.S . Federal Reserve, International Bank, CIB, Egypt's, European Bank for Reconstruction, Monetary Fund, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Dubai, United Arab, Saudi, Qatar, Israel, Ateeq Shariff, Bengaluru

☆ Gulf bourses mixed as China pessimism offsets higher oil prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( Md Manzer Hussain | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/ File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 12 (Reuters) - Gulf stock markets put in a mixed performance on Sunday as higher oil prices were offset by worries of faltering demand from China, the world's top crude importer. Oil prices - a major driver of Gulf financial markets - rose about 2% on Friday as Iraq voiced support for OPEC+ oil cuts ahead of a meeting of the group on Nov. 26. The retailer reported a third-quarter net loss of 202.9 million riyals ($54.1 million) compared to a net profit of 21.1 million riyals a year earlier. Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30) fell 1.7%, with Commercial International Bank (COMI.CA) down 2.5% and Misr Fertilizer (MFPC.CA) losing 4.6%. However, Credit Agricole Egypt (CIEB.CA) gained 3.7% as the lender reported a 121% jump in third quarter consolidated net profit.

Persons: Joe Biden, Hamad I Mohammed, Brent, Masraf Al Rayan, Fawaz Abdulaziz Alhokair Co, Md Manzer Hussain, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: Bahrain Bourse, U.S, REUTERS, OPEC, Qatar, Saudi Telecom, Human Resources, Commercial International Bank, Misr, Agricole Egypt, Thomson Locations: Bahrain, Manama, China, Iraq, Saudi

☆ Most Gulf markets end higher after US job market softens
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A trader looks on near electronic boards showing stock market data at Bahrain Bourse after Joe Biden won the U.S. presidency, in Manama, Bahrain, November 8, 2020. Most Gulf Cooperation Council countries, including the UAE, peg their currencies to the U.S. dollar and follow the Fed's policy moves closely. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) gained 0.8%, with oil giant Saudi Aramco (2222.SE) rising 0.5% and Lumi Rental Co (4262.SE) finishing 1.7% higher. Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30) closed 2% higher, led by a 2.1% rise in Commercial International Bank (COMI.CA). On Friday, the lender reported third-quarter net income of 8.35 billion Egyptian pounds ($270.66 million), up 89% year-on-year.

Persons: Joe Biden, Hamad I Mohammed, Detroit's, Jerome Powell, Ateeq, David Goodman, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Bahrain Bourse, U.S, REUTERS, Federal, United Auto Workers, UAW, Gulf Cooperation, U.S ., Saudi Aramco, Lumi, Reuters, Industries Qatar, Commercial International Bank, Thomson Locations: Bahrain, Manama, U.S, Gulf, UAE, Saudi, Ateeq Shariff, Bengaluru

☆ Gulf bourses drop amid hawkish Fed tone, Mideast conflict
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( Md Manzer Hussain | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 22 (Reuters) - Stock markets in the Gulf fell on Sunday amid warnings of possible further interest rate hikes from the U.S Federal Reserve, and worries of escalation in the Middle East conflict. Monetary policy in the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is usually guided by Fed policy decisions because most regional currencies are pegged to the U.S. dollar. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) was down for a third consecutive session, ending 1.5% lower, with all sectors in the red. Elm Company (7203.SE) dropped 2.3%, while Al Rajhi Bank (1120.SE), the world's largest Islamic bank by assets, slipped 2.1%. The Qatari index (.QSI) fell for a fifth straight session, ending 0.9% lower, with Industries Qatar (IQCD.QA) dropping 2.2% and Qatar Navigation (QNNC.QA) sliding 3%.

Persons: Joe Biden, Hamad I Mohammed, Jerome Powell, Talaat Mostafa, Md Manzer Hussain, David Holmes Organizations: Bahrain Bourse, U.S, REUTERS, Stock, U.S Federal Reserve, Gulf Cooperation Council, U.S ., Elm Company, Al Rajhi Bank, Industries Qatar, Qatar Navigation, Qatar National Bank, Eastern Co, Gaza, Thomson Locations: Bahrain, Manama, Saudi, Israel, Lebanon, Syria

☆ The giant sucking sound you hear is the gobs of capital being pulled away from emerging managers. Here's how one solo capitalist defied the slump.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Melia Russell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Those who raised their first venture capital funds in the pandemic-era boom times are now struggling with their sophomore efforts. Despite the tailwinds, some emerging managers are defying the slump and raising new funds. He told Insider exclusively that he's now closed on $15 million for fund two from investors including Cendana Capital, Invesco Private Capital, and two dozen startup founders. And so in 2019, he reached into his network of founders and raised a $2 million fund to invest in software companies. Now, he's already gearing up for fund three, which Wan said he plans to launch in 2024.

Persons: Insider's Callum Burroughs, Jordan Wan, Wan, Zocdoc, Oliver Kharraz, it's, Alan Ni, Jake Cooper, Manoj Kanagaraj, Blackstone, Cooper didn't, Cooper, they've, Wolf Organizations: Sequoia, Partners, Cendana, Invesco, Capital, Oscar Insurance, Garner Health Locations: London, Denver , Colorado, Wan

☆ Major Gulf bourses drop amid surging Gaza-Israel conflict
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-08 | by ( Md Manzer Hussain | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Mohammed Salem Acquire Licensing RightsOct 8 (Reuters) - Major stock markets in the Gulf tumbled on Sunday amid worries that rising conflict between Palestinian group Hamas and Israel threatens to spiral. The index was dragged down by losses in all sectors, with Lumi Rental (4262.SE) down 5% and Etihad Atheeb Telecommunication (7040.SE) dropping 5.3%. Saudi Aramco Base Oil (2223.SE) (Luberef)dropped 6.8% and the world's largest Islamic bank by assets, Al Rajhi Bank(1120.SE) slipped 2.1%. The Qatari index (.QSI) fell for a third straight session, ending 0.6% lower, with most sectors in the red. Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30) plunged 2.6%, the steepest drop in nearly three months.

Persons: Mohammed Salem, Md Manzer Hussain, Bernadette Baum Organizations: REUTERS, Lumi, Etihad Atheeb Telecommunication, Saudi Aramco Base Oil, Al Rajhi Bank, . Industries Qatar, Commercial Bank, Commercial International Bank, Finance, Digital, Financial, Telecom Egypt, Fawry Banking, Thomson Locations: Gaza City, Palestinian, Israel, Gaza, East, Saudi

☆ Saudi bourse tracks oil prices lower, Egypt extends losses
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( Ateeq Shariff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

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/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 1 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's stock market ended lower on Sunday in response to Friday's fall in oil prices, while the Egyptian index extended loses on profit-taking. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) fell 0.1%, extending losses from the previous session, weighed down by a 0.9% fall in oil giant Saudi Aramco (2222.SE). Oil prices - a key catalyst for the Gulf's financial markets - settled 1% lower on Friday due to macroeconomic concerns and profit-taking. Saudi Arabia is expected to tap the international debt markets to finance a projected budget deficit in 2023-2024, the finance ministry said, against a backdrop of lower oil prices and the country's extended oil production cuts.

Persons: Faisal Al Nasser, Ateeq, David Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, Saudi, Saudi Aramco, Qatar National Bank, Qatar bourse, Banking, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Ateeq Shariff, Bengaluru

☆ Gulf stocks mixed amid rate hike woes; Egypt outperforms
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Shamsuddin Mohd | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The Qatari benchmark stock index (.QSI) fell 0.3%, dragged down by almost all the sectors with financials leading the declines. Qatar National Bank (QNBK.QA), the Gulf's biggest lender, was down 0.7% while heavyweight Commercial Bank (COMB.QA) dropped 1.3%. Kuwait's premier market index (.BKP) fell 1.6%, its 7th consecutive session of losses, as most of its constituents were in negative territory. Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30), closed up 0.6%, hitting an all-time high. Reporting by Shamsuddin Mohd in Bengaluru; Editing by Emelia Sithole-MatariseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Shamsuddin, Emelia Sithole Organizations: Federal, Gulf Cooperation, greenback, Qatar National Bank, Commercial Bank, Chemical Industries, Misr Fertilizer, Stock, UAE bourse, Thomson Locations: Abu, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bengaluru

☆ Major Gulf markets little changed ahead of Fed decision
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Christopher Pike Acquire Licensing RightsSept 20 (Reuters) - Major stock markets in the Gulf were little changed in early trade on Wednesday ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's interest rate decision. Investors are awaiting a raft of central bank interest rate decisions this week to assess the outlook for economic growth and fuel demand. The U.S. central bank is widely expected to keep interest rates on hold, but the focus will be on its projected policy path. The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council's monetary policy is usually guided by the Fed's decision as most regional currencies are pegged to the U.S. dollar. The Qatari benchmark (.QSI) rose 0.1%, helped by a 0.7% rise in the Gulf's biggest lender Qatar National Bank (QNBK.QA).

Persons: Joe Biden, Christopher Pike, Ateeq, Sohini Goswami Organizations: Dubai Financial, U.S, United Arab Emirates, REUTERS, Gulf Cooperation, U.S ., Development, Saudi Aramco, Qatar National Bank, Thomson Locations: Dubai, United Arab, U.S . Federal, U.S, Saudi, Dar Al Arkan, Yemen, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Ateeq Shariff, Bengaluru

☆ I worked 2 full-time jobs and made $211K a year. The main downside of double-dipping was that I had no social life, but it wasn't that hard to do both jobs.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Kaila Yu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Hayes said double dipping, as a quality assurance analyst, is easier than it sounds. At the height of my double dipping career, I was making $211,200 a year — more than I ever imagined for myself. When I was double dipping, I made $45 per hour at one job and $65 per hour at the other. The main downside of double dipping is the lack of a social lifeThis didn't matter as much in the pandemic, but after both my contracts ended this year, I'm enjoying more work-life balance. At the end of March I found another role as a QA automation engineer and I'm enjoying more work-life balance with just this one job.

Persons: Davrick Hayes, Hayes, I've, it's, would've, I'm Organizations: Service, Midwest, GreatAmerican Financial, Craigslist, First Republic Bank, First Locations: Wall, Silicon, Bismarck , North Dakota, Downey , California, Los Angeles, LA, North Dakota, GreatAmerica, America, First Republic

☆ Major Gulf bourses fall amid China gloom
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( Md Manzer Hussain | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

FILE PHOTO-Traders wait at the Bahrain Bourse after Joe Biden won the U.S. presidency, in Manama, Bahrain, November 8, 2020. The Qatari index (.QSI) fell for a third consecutive session, ending 0.1% lower, with most sectors in the red. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) was down 0.3%, with a 1.3% slump in oil giant Saudi Aramco (2222.SE). The world's biggest oil company is considering selling a stake worth as much as $50 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday. Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30) dropped 0.8%, snapping its winning streak from the six previous sessions, with most sectors in the red.

Persons: Joe Biden, Hamad I Mohammed, Md Manzer Hussain, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Bahrain Bourse, U.S, REUTERS, Qatar National Bank, Commercial Bank, Saudi Aramco, Wall Street, Saudi Basic Industries, Saudi Iron and Steel Company, Public Investment Fund, International Bank, Thomson Locations: Bahrain, Manama, China, Saudi, El

☆ Most stock markets in Gulf track oil prices higher
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( Ateeq Shariff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

An investor monitors a screen displaying stock information at the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange June 25, 2014./File PhotoAug 13 (Reuters) - Most stock markets in the Gulf ended higher on Sunday in the wake of Friday's rise in oil prices, with the Saudi index gaining for a third consecutive session. Oil prices - a key catalyst for the Gulf's financial markets - edged higher on Friday after the International Energy Agency forecast record global demand and tightening supplies, propelling prices to their seventh straight week of gains, the longest such streak since 2022. Prospects for the oil market look healthy for the second half of the year, OPEC said. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) advanced 1.1%, rising for a third consecutive session, led by a 1.6% leap in oil giant Saudi Aramco (2222.SE). In Qatar, the index (.QSI) added 0.4%, with petrochemical maker Industries Qatar (IQCD.QA) putting on 0.8%.

Persons: Ateeq, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Abu, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, International Energy Agency, Organization of, Petroleum, Saudi, Saudi Aramco, Aramco, Industries Qatar, Thomson Locations: Abu Dhabi, Saudi, North Asia, Qatar, Egypt, Ateeq Shariff, Bengaluru

☆ Qatar stock market ends higher, Saudi extends losses
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-06 | by ( Md Manzer Hussain | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

An electronic board displaying data is seen at the Doha Stock Exchange in Doha, Qatar January 6, 2021. REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari/File PhotoAug 6 (Reuters) - Qatar stock market closed higher on Sunday in response to rising oil prices amid supply cuts by top producers, while the Saudi index ended lower on weaker corporate earnings. The Qatari Stock index (.QSI) advanced 0.2%, ending two sessions of losses, with Baladna (BLDN.QA) climbing 3% and Qatar Fuel (QFLS.QA) gaining 1%. The index heavyweight Islamic banks Qatar Islamic Bank (QISB.QA) and Qatar International Islamic Bank (QIIB.QA) added 2.2% and 1.1% respectively. The food products distributor Halwani reported higher losses in second quarter compared to a year earlier.

Persons: Al Omari, Halwani, Md Manzer Organizations: Doha Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Qatar, Qatar Islamic Bank, Qatar International Islamic Bank, Savola, Thomson Locations: Doha, Qatar, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Russia, El Gadida, El

☆ Saudi bourse extends losses on profit-taking; Egypt gains
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-30 | by ( Ateeq Shariff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 30 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's stock market ended lower on Sunday, extending losses from the previous session on profit-taking, while the Egyptian index ended five sessions of losses. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) dropped 0.5%, weighed down by a 2.5% fall in Riyad Bank (1010.SE), while Saudi Awwal Bank (1060.SE) retreated 3.8%. On the positive side, National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (4030.SE) advanced more than 4% after posting a sharp rise in second-quarter net profit. In Qatar, the index (.QSI) gained 0.5%, led by a 2.7% rise in petrochemical maker Industries Qatar (IQCD.QA). ($1 = 3.7505 riyals)Reporting by Ateeq Shariff in Bengaluru Editing by Christina FincherOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ateeq, Christina Fincher Organizations: Saudi, Riyad Bank, Saudi Awwal Bank, National Shipping Company, Industries Qatar, Eastern Company, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Ateeq Shariff, Bengaluru

☆ Qatar bourse gains on rising oil prices; Egypt falls
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-23 | by ( Ateeq Shariff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 23 (Reuters) - Qatar's stock market ended higher on Sunday in response to Friday's rise in oil prices, while the Saudi index finished flat. In Qatar, the key stock index (.QSI) gained 0.5%, rising for an eighth consecutive session, led by a 10% surge in Barwa Real Estate Co (BRES.QA). Last week, the real estate firm agreed to sell two land plots in Lusail area for 6.36 billion riyals ($1.75 billion). Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30) eased 0.2% on Sunday, hit by a 1.1% fall in tobacco monopoly Easter Company. ($1 = 3.6425 Qatar riyals)Reporting by Ateeq Shariff in Bengaluru; Editing by Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ateeq, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Clean Energy, Company, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Russia, Ukraine, Qatar, Ateeq Shariff, Bengaluru

☆ Qatar National Bank's Q2 profit falls 4%
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DUBAI, July 10 (Reuters) - Qatar National Bank (QNBK.QA), the oil-rich Gulf's biggest lender by assets, reported on Monday a 4% drop in second-quarter net profit to 3.7 billion riyals ($1.02 billion). QNB missed analysts' mean estimate of 3.9 billion riyals net profit in the quarter, Refinitiv data showed. Net profit for the first half of the year was 7.6 billion riyals, up 8% from the first half of 2022. Loans and advances also rose 7% to 819 billion riyals. ($1 = 3.6440 Qatar riyals)Reporting by Yousef Saba, Editing by Louise HeavensOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: QNB, Yousef Saba, Louise Heavens Organizations: Qatar National Bank, Group, Thomson Locations: DUBAI, Qatar

☆ Most Gulf markets gain; Egypt extends losses
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( Ateeq Shariff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 9 (Reuters) - Most stock markets in the Gulf ended higher on Sunday in response to Friday's rise in oil prices, while the Egyptian index extended losses for a fourth session. In Qatar, the index (.QSI) gained 0.3%, led by a 1.8% increase in telecoms firm Ooredoo (ORDS.QA). Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30) slid 3.2%, extending losses for a fourth session, as foreign investors continue to sell amid difficult economic conditions locally and internationally. Almost all the stocks on the index were in negative territory including Misr Fertilizers (MFPC.CA), which retreated about 18%. Reporting by Ateeq Shariff in Bengaluru; Editing by Alison WilliamsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Dr Sulaiman Al, Ateeq, Alison Williams Organizations: Habib Medical Services, OPEC, Thomson Locations: Saudi, OPEC, Qatar, Ateeq Shariff, Bengaluru

Search resuls for: "QA"

25 mentions found