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Wednesday, December 25, 2024  
22 Jumada Al-Akhirah 1446  

Real estate stocks lift Dubai shares higher; other markets mixed

Dubai shares rose in early trade on Wednesday, supported by gains in property stocks, while other major Gulf markets...

Dubai shares rose in early trade on Wednesday, supported by gains in property stocks, while other major Gulf markets traded mixed.

Dubai's main share index added 0.1%, with blue-chip developer Emaar properties rising 1%, while its unit Emaar Malls, operator of glitzy Middle East shopping centers, advanced 1.5%.

Emaar Properties is weighing options to sell fashion e-commerce business Namshi that may include a listing abroad via a SPAC, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing three sources familiar with the matter.

An outright sale of Namshi may generate $600 million to $700 million in proceeds, while a listing through a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) could be more lucrative, said one of the sources.

SPACs are not permitted on UAE bourses, encouraging companies to seek out alternative venues.

Saudi Arabia's benchmark index eased 0.1%, with Saudi Telecom Company falling 0.9%, and oil behemoth Saudi Aramco losing 0.3%.

However, oil prices, a key catalyst for the Gulf's financial stocks, rose ahead of OPEC+ meeting and Energy Information Administration report.

In Abu Dhabi, the index fell 0.4%, weighed down by a 0.5% fall in First Abu Dhabi Bank, a day after the country's largest lender launched 250 million pounds ($343.93 million) in 5-year bonds.

Among other losers, Abu Dhabi National Hotels retreated a further 5%.

Abu Dhabi state-owned holding company ADQ has withdrawn an offer to combine Abu Dhabi National Hotels Company (ADNH) with Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC).

The Qatari index edged up 0.1%, helped by a 1.2% rise in petrochemical maker Industries Qatar.

($1 = 0.7269 pounds)

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