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☆ First Abu Dhabi Bank could renew $35 billion offer for StanChart -Bloomberg News
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Lawrence White | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Feb 9 (Reuters) - First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB.AD) (FAB), the United Arab Emirates' biggest lender, could renew a potential offer for Britain's Standard Chartered (STAN.L), once lock-up rules from its previous aborted bid expire, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday. A StanChart spokesperson declined to comment on the report, while FAB could not immediately be reached for comment. News of the potential offer first came on Jan. 5, when FAB said it had considered a bid for London-listed Standard Chartered but was no longer doing so. The Abu Dhabi lender is considering reviving the bid once a lock-up period that prevents it immediately doing so expires, offering $30 billion to $35 billon compared with StanChart's market value of $24 billion, Bloomnberg reported. Saudi National Bank in October announced it was investing up to $1.5 billion in Credit Suisse, representing a stake of up to 9.9%.

☆ Qatar doubles Credit Suisse stake as embattled lender forges ahead with strategic overhaul
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Qatar Investment Authority is the second-largest shareholder in Credit Suisse after doubling its stake in the embattled Swiss lender late last year, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The QIA — Qatar's sovereign wealth fund — initially began investing in Credit Suisse around the time of the financial crisis. Combined with the 3.15% owned by Saudi-based family firm Olayan Financing Company, around a fifth of the company's stock is now owned by Middle Eastern investors, Eikon data indicates. Credit Suisse will report its fourth-quarter and full-year earnings on Feb. 9, and has already projected a 1.5 billion Swiss franc ($1.6 billion) loss for the fourth quarter as a result of the ongoing restructuring. The shake-up is designed to address persistent underperformance in the investment bank and a series of risk and compliance failures.

The new shares bring the QIA's ownership in Credit Suisse to 6.87%, amounting to 272.25 million shares, from 5.57% as reported in its last SEC filing in November. Credit Suisse declined to comment when contacted by Reuters on Monday and the QIA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Credit Suisse's shares rose 2.2% on Monday to close at 3.15 Swiss francs. SNB, along with the QIA and Olayan Group, account for about 20% of Credit Suisse shares. Credit Suisse outlined plans in October to raise 4 billion Swiss francs from investors, cut thousands of jobs and shift its focus from investment banking towards its rich clients.

☆ Credit Suisse CEO says outflows have reduced 'very significantly' as overhaul progresses
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Switzerland's second largest bank Credit Suisse is seen here next to a Swiss flag in downtown Geneva. Credit Suisse is seeing a sharp reduction in client outflows, as the embattled Swiss lender progresses with its major strategic overhaul, new CEO Ulrich Koerner told CNBC on Wednesday. As part of the overhaul, Credit Suisse shareholders in November greenlit a $4.2 billion capital raise, including a new private share offering that will see the Saudi National Bank become the largest interest holder, with a 9.9% stake. Koerner said the transformation towards a "new Credit Suisse" was going well. Credit Suisse has also reached out to tens of thousands of clients in Switzerland and around the world for feedback, Koerner said.

Bloomberg had earlier reported that FAB had been exploring an offer for Standard Chartered as part of a plan aimed at building an emerging markets bank, driving StanChart shares up as much as 20%. The Abu Dhabi lender said it had been in "the very early stages of evaluating a possible offer" for the emerging markets-focused bank. Furthermore, the mooted combination of FAB and StanChart would have been subjected to more onerous capital requirements that would burden the resulting lender, a banking source said. FAB was created via a merger between National Bank of Abu Dhabi and First Gulf Bank in 2016. The lender sources around half its deposits from the Abu Dhabi government and reported total assets of 1.15 trillion AED ($313.1 billion) as of end-September 2022.

☆ Gulf equities ring in new year on mixed note as oil, recession worries weigh
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Jan 2 (Reuters) - Major Gulf stock markets were mixed on Monday, coming off gains in 2022 for most, as investors braced for the new year with worries about a potential recession, crude demand and the U.S. Fed hiking rates further. A Reuters poll showed on Friday that of 30 economists and analysts forecast Brent crude would average $89.37 a barrel in 2023, about 4.6% lower than the $93.65 consensus in a November survey. Abu Dhabi's index (.FTFADGI) added 0.3%, bolstered by a 1.6% increase in AD Ports Group (ADPORTS.AD) and a 2.4% hike in Multiply Group (MULTIPLY.AD). The benchmark was 2022's best performer among the other peers in Gulf Cooperation Council countries finishing the year with a more than 20% gain, after hitting an all-time high in early November in 2022. In Qatar, the benchmark (.QSI) was also up 0.3%, supported by its financial stocks but Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) retreated 0.2% with Saudi National Bank (1180.SE) falling 0.8% and oil behemoth and index heavyweight Saudi Aramco (2222.SE) easing 0.5%.

☆ Egypt leads 2022 gains, Saudi marks first annual loss in 7 years
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Dec 29 (Reuters) - The Saudi Arabian stock market ended lower on Wednesday, marking its first annual loss in seven years, while the Egyptian bourse was the Middle East's best performer in 2022. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) eased 0.1%, hit by a 1.1% fall in Al Rajhi Bank (1120.SE). According to Wael Makarem, senior market strategist – MENA at Exness, stock markets have witnessed a difficult period in 2022 as inflation, rising interest rates and the war in Ukraine strongly impacted investor sentiment. The kingdom's largest lender, Saudi National Bank (1180.SE), finished 1.2% higher. Oil prices - a key catalyst for the Gulf's financial markets - surged 80% earlier this year before giving up most gains.

☆ Most Gulf markets fall in early trade; Dubai gains
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Dec 26 (Reuters) - Most stock markets in the Gulf fell in early trade on Monday, with modest trading volumes in absence of many foreign investors for the Christmas holidays. Saudi Arabia's benchmark inex (.TASI) eased 0.1%, hit by a 0.6% fall in Retal Urban Development Co (4322.SE) and a 1.1% decline in the kingdom's biggest lender Saudi National Bank (1180.SE). However, Yanbu National Petrochemicals Company (2290.SE) gained 0.8% after it proposed half-yearly dividend of 1.25 riyal. Dubai's main share index (.DFMGI), however, rose 0.5%, helped by a 1.3% rise in sharia-compliant lender Dubai Islamic Bank (DISB.DU). Reporting by Ateeq Shariff in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra EluriOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Most Gulf markets retreat on Fed rate woes, oil price slump
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-11 | by ( Shamsuddin Mohd | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Dec 11 (Reuters) - Most major Gulf equities eased on Sunday on falling oil prices amid supply woes and uncertainty over a price cap on Russian oil, while the Egypt index fell on price corrections. "Also oil prices could witness further downtrend this week as recession fears may fuel demand concerns, with European price cap on Russian oil remaining a source of uncertainty," added Mourad. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) fell 1.1%, with oil behemoth and index heavyweight Saudi Aramco (2222.SE) sliding 1.8% and Luxury real estate developer Retal Urban Development Company (4322.SE) losing 0.7%. However, Saudi National Bank (1180.SE) and ACWA Power (2082.SE) jumped 2% and 4.4% respectively. (IQCD.QA)Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30) also eased 1.7%, ending eight straight days of gains.

"The successful completion of the capital increase is a key milestone for the new Credit Suisse," its chief executive Ulrich Koerner said in a statement. Credit Suisse had already raised 1.8 billion francs by placing stock with a group of institutional investors led by Saudi National Bank (1180.SE). The exercise of subscription rights left only 16.4 million shares unsold. These are due to be sold on the market at or above the offer price of 2.52 Swiss francs, Credit Suisse said. Credit Suisse, has been battered by mishaps, including a $5.5 billion loss on U.S. investment firm Archegos.

Credit Suisse has already placed some 1.8 billion francs worth of shares with a group of institutional investors led by Saudi National Bank. "The rights issue is the necessary start to the process, said Jerome Legras of Axiom Alternative Investments. REVAMP AND RECORD LOWSCredit Suisse shares, which have plumbed record lows, were buoyed last week as its leadership sought to reassure markets. After closing above 3 Swiss francs on Monday, they have retreated slightly, finishing Wednesday’s session at 2.851 Swiss francs. Crucially, they have held above the deal subscription price of 2.52 Swiss francs and were at 2.821 Swiss francs, down around 1% in mid-session trade on Thursday.

☆ Credit Suisse raises 2.24 billion Swiss francs in second part of capital hike
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

ZURICH, Dec 8 (Reuters) - Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) on Thursday announced the final result of its 4 billion Swiss franc ($4.25 billion) capital raise, saying 98.2% of shareholder rights to buy stock at a discount had been taken up in the second part of the fundraising. Switzerland's second biggest bank said subscription rights for 872.9 million new shares had been used in the capital hike, intended to fund an overhaul of the scandal-plagued lender. This meant 2.24 billion francs had been raised by Credit Suisse, as expected, in addition to the 1.8 billion francs raised from an earlier placing of stock with a group of institutional investors led by Saudi National Bank. ($1 = 0.9406 Swiss francs)Reporting by John Revill; Editing by Kirsten DonovanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Credit Suisse's investment bank draws interest from Saudi crown prince, WSJ reports
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Dec 4 (Reuters) - Investors including Saudi Arabia's crown prince and a U.S. private-equity firm run by a former Barclays CEO have shown interest in investing $1 billion or more in Credit Suisse's (CSGN.S) new investment banking unit, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday. Credit Suisse did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Seeking to restore vigor to a business that has been languishing, Credit Suisse in October said that it will reshape its investment bank by resurrecting the First Boston brand. Credit Suisse's history with the First Boston brand dates to 1978 when the pair linked up to operate in the London bond market. Some bankers and investors have expressed scepticism over its ability to regain its past glory in a shrinking market.

☆ Credit Suisse rights sell-off spells worst year for its shares
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Danilo Masoni | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Shares in Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) fell 3.1% to 2.915 francs by 1451 GMT, their lowest level on record according to Refinitiv data, as the rights tumbled as much as 29.9% to as low as 0.101 on their second day of trading in Zurich. That took losses for Credit Suisse shares in 2022 to more than 65%, further shrinking its market value to 12 billion francs and firmly setting the stock for its biggest yearly drop. "The problem now for Credit Suisse is to plug the outflows of staff and client assets: the damage is done and there will be an impact for sure," said Angelo Meda, head of equities and portfolio manager at Banor SIM in Milan. Credit Suisse declined to comment. snapshotThe offering, which is guaranteed by a group of banks, will raise as much as 2.24 billion Swiss francs ($2.3 billion) and follows a 1.76 billion-franc share placement where Saudi National Bank took a 9.9% shareholding in Credit Suisse.

☆ No respite for Credit Suisse as investors dump rights in $2.3 bln cash call
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MILAN, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Shares in Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) tumbled to another lifetime low below 3 Swiss francs on Tuesday as investors dumped rights to subscribe to new shares in the loss-making lender. By 1036 GMT, Credit Suisse shares fell 2.6% to 2.93 francs as the rights tumbled as much as 27% to as low as 0.105 on their second day of trading on the Swiss exchange. The offering, which is guaranteed by a group of banks, will raise as much as 2.24 billion Swiss francs ($2.3 billion) and follows a 1.76 billion-franc share placement where Saudi National Bank took a 9.9% shareholding in Credit Suisse. Shareholders in Switzerland's second-biggest bank have the right to purchase two new shares at 2.52 francs each for every 7 rights they hold by December 8. ($1 = 0.9502 Swiss francs)($1 = 0.9502 Swiss francs)Reporting by Danilo Masoni; Editing by Amanda CooperOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Credit Suisse offers 889 mln shares to existing investors in $4 bln capital hike
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ZURICH, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) has made 889 million new shares available to existing investors at 2.52 Swiss francs ($2.67) per share, the bank said on Thursday, confirming the final terms of its 4 billion franc capital hike. The share issue is expected to raise roughly 2.24 billion Swiss francs, Credit Suisse said. The 4 billion francs Credit Suisse expects to raise from the share placement and the rights offering will be used to support its restructuring and shift away from investment banking. Credit Suisse shares, which have lost 59% of their value so far this year, closed on Thursday at 3.551 francs. The nominal share capital of Credit Suisse Group has already risen 17% following the completion of the share placement portion of the capital hike.

☆ Credit Suisse shareholders greenlight $4.2 billion capital raise
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The logo of Swiss bank Credit Suisse is seen at its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland March 24, 2021.Credit Suisse shareholders on Wednesday approved a 4 billion Swiss franc ($4.2 billion) capital raise aimed at financing the embattled lender's massive strategic overhaul. Credit Suisse's capital raising plans are split into two parts. The new share offering will see the SNB take a 9.9% stake in Credit Suisse, making it the bank's largest shareholder. The second capital increase issues newly registered shares with pre-emptive rights to existing shareholders, and passed with 98% of the vote. Credit Suisse Chairman Axel Lehmann said the vote marked an "important step" in the building of "the new Credit Suisse."

☆ Gulf bourses slide on Fed rate hike prospects; Egypt edges up
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( Shamsuddin Mohd | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 20 (Reuters) - Most stock markets in the Gulf fell on Sunday with fears about sharp U.S. interest rate hikes and the prospect of weaker oil demand weighing on sentiment. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) fell 0.8%, pressured by banking stocks, with Al Rajhi Bank (1120.SE) down 1.2% and Saudi National Bank (1180.SE) dropping 1.7%. The Qatari index (.QSI) also dropped 0.8%, extending losses to five sessions in a row, with financials and industrial stocks leading the losses. Qatari conglomerate Industries Qatar (IQCD.QA) lost 1.6% while Qatar Islamic Bank (QISB.QA) was down 1.2%. Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30) edged up 0.1% for a sixth session of gains, with Elsewedy Electric (SWDY.CA) advancing 2.7%.

☆ HSBC Oman, Sohar International Bank ink merger pact
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Hadeel Al Sayegh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DUBAI, Nov 16 (Reuters) - HSBC Bank Oman and local rival Sohar International Bank have entered into a binding merger agreement, the two lenders said on Wednesday. All assets and liabilities of HSBC Oman will be transferred to Sohar International, the banks said in two separate regulatory announcements, without disclosing the deal value. On completion of a merger, HSBC Oman will cease to exist as a legal entity and its shares will be cancelled, the banks said. The shares that form a part of consideration to HSBC Oman shareholders will value Sohar International at 1 times book value, they said. With this decision, HSBC Oman and Sohar International will join other lenders of neighbouring Gulf countries in consolidating their operations.

☆ Credit Suisse sells most of its securitized products business to Apollo as it speeds up restructure
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The bank said the move represented an "important step towards a managed exit from the Securitized Products business, which is expected to significantly de-risk the investment bank and release capital to invest in Credit Suisse's core business." Credit Suisse said the transaction, along with the potential sale of other assets to third-party investors, is expected to reduce SPG assets from around $75 billion to $20 billion. Credit Suisse on Tuesday announced that it would accelerate the restructure of its investment bank by selling a significant portion of its securitized products group (SPG) to Apollo Global Management. Credit Suisse will hold an extraordinary general meeting next week to seek the green light from shareholders on several key elements of the restructure. These include the planned 1.5 billion Swiss franc ($1.6 billion) investment from the Saudi National Bank in exchange for a 9.9% shareholding, part of a 4 billion Swiss franc capital raise.

☆ Most Gulf bourses fall after Fed warning
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( Ateeq Shariff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 14 (Reuters) - Most Gulf stock markets ended lower on Monday after a top U.S. central banker warned investors not to get carried away over one inflation number, while falling oil prices compounded concerns. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) fell 0.4%, hit by a 3% slide in the country's biggest lender Saudi National Bank (SNB)(1180.SE). The lender has agreed to invest 1.5 billion Swiss francs ($1.59 billion) in the Swiss bank and is set to take a stake of up to 9.9%. Since the October announcement, SNB has lost 39.94 billion riyals ($10.63 billion) from its market value. The kingdom's Public Investment Fund sold a 10% stake in the firm through a secondary share offering, raising 2.3 billion riyals ($612 million).

☆ Most Gulf bourses in black on Fed rate hopes
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-13 | by ( Ateeq Shariff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Nov 13 (Reuters) - Most stock markets in the Gulf ended higher on Sunday with Saudi Arabian shares snapping three sessions of losses, as soft U.S. inflation data fuelled hopes that the aggressive Federal Reserve rate stance might begin to ease. The Qatari stock market started the week positively as the world cup could provide strong support for the market and attract investors' attention, said Farah Mourad, Senior Market Analyst of XTB MENA. Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30) gained 1.9%, as most of the stocks on the index were in positive territory. According to analyst Mourad, the Egyptian stock market continues to benefit from the attention COP27 brought to the country. ($1 = 3.7590 riyals)($1 = 0.9417 Swiss francs)Reporting by Ateeq Shariff in Bengaluru;Editing by Elaine HardcastleOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

The company will be a preferred long-term partner for Credit Suisse, the bank has said. Credit Suisse declined to comment beyond Lehmann's remarks Oct. 27 when the bank unveiled the restructuring. The investment bank spin-off and the sale of the securitized products unit to Apollo are key planks of the reorganization. Klein, a 59-year-old former Citigroup rainmaker who runs advisory boutique M. Klein & Co, has been a Credit Suisse board member since 2018. Klein and Credit Suisse also have discussed combining M. Klein & Co into CS First Boston, according to one source familiar with the discussions.

☆ Saudi National Bank not concerned about Credit Suisse's governance
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

LONDON, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Saudi National Bank (SNB) said on Friday it had not come across any information that might raise concerns over the governance of Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) and was supportive of the transformation plan announced by the bank on Oct. 27. The comments came in response to concern from two other investors over the Swiss bank's handling of any potential conflicts of interest for Michael Klein, then board member, and director Blythe Masters when it implemented a sweeping overhaul last month. Saudi National Bank, part owned by the kingdom, has agreed to invest 1.5 billion Swiss francs ($1.59 billion) in the Swiss lender and is set to take a stake of up to 9.9%. ($1 = 0.9451 Swiss francs)Reporting By Pamela BarbagliaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Major Gulf markets mixed ahead of U.S. inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 8 (Reuters) - Major stock markets in the Gulf were mixed in early trade on Tuesday as crude oil prices fell and caution prevailed ahead of the release of U.S. inflation data. Crude prices hit their highest since August on Monday amid speculation leaders in top crude importer China were weighing an exit from the country's strict COVID-19 restrictions. Chinese health authorities doused that speculation on Saturday, reaffirming the country's commitment to its strict zero-COVID policy. State developer Nakheel secured 17 billion dirhams ($4.63 billion) in financing from local banks for new projects, including Dubai Islands and other waterfront developments. read moreThe transaction comprises 11 billion dirhams in refinancing and additional funds of 6 billion dirhams through a syndicate of three local lenders.

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