
Oman Plans Income Tax on Top Earners in a First for Gulf States
The 5% levy won't take effect until 2028 and only applies to annual income of 42,000 rials ($109,000) or above, state-run Omani News Agency said late Sunday. That means that only the top 1% of earners will have to pay the tax, according to the economy ministry.
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Middle Eastern Penny Stocks To Watch In August 2025
As the Gulf markets remain muted amid disappointing earnings and cautious signals from the U.S. Federal Reserve, investor sentiment is being tested across the Middle East. In such a climate, identifying stocks with strong financials becomes crucial for those looking to navigate these uncertain waters. Penny stocks, though an older term, still represent an intriguing investment area by offering potential value through smaller or less-established companies with solid foundations and growth prospects. Top 10 Penny Stocks In The Middle East Name Share Price Market Cap Financial Health Rating Big Tech 50 R&D-Limited Partnership (TASE:BIGT) ₪1.421 ₪15.08M ★★★★★★ Thob Al Aseel (SASE:4012) SAR3.81 SAR1.52B ★★★★★★ Alarum Technologies (TASE:ALAR) ₪4.188 ₪296M ★★★★★★ Mega Polietilen Köpük Sanayi ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi (IBSE:MEGAP) TRY4.80 TRY1.32B ★★★★★☆ E7 Group PJSC (ADX:E7) AED1.55 AED3.08B ★★★★★★ Katmerciler Arac Üstü Ekipman Sanayi ve Ticaret (IBSE:KATMR) TRY2.54 TRY2.73B ★★★★★☆ Dubai National Insurance & Reinsurance (P.S.C.) (DFM:DNIR) AED3.30 AED381.15M ★★★★★★ Dubai Investments PJSC (DFM:DIC) AED2.96 AED12.59B ★★★★☆☆ Sharjah Cement and Industrial Development (PJSC) (ADX:SCIDC) AED0.816 AED496.34M ★★★★★★ Tgi Infrastructures (TASE:TGI) ₪2.57 ₪191.06M ★★★★★★ Click here to see the full list of 77 stocks from our Middle Eastern Penny Stocks screener. Let's uncover some gems from our specialized screener. Ege Seramik Sanayi ve Ticaret Simply Wall St Financial Health Rating: ★★★★☆☆ Overview: Ege Seramik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. is a company that produces and sells ceramic floor and wall tiles globally, with a market cap of TRY2.61 billion. Operations: The company generates revenue from its Building Products segment, amounting to TRY2.69 billion. Market Cap: TRY2.61B Ege Seramik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S., with a market cap of TRY2.61 billion, is currently unprofitable and has seen its losses increase by 57% annually over the past five years. Despite this, the company maintains a solid financial position with short-term assets of TRY2.4 billion covering both its short- and long-term liabilities. However, it faces challenges due to a limited cash runway of less than one year based on current free cash flow levels. The company's debt-to-equity ratio has increased over time but remains within satisfactory limits at 34.9%. Unlock comprehensive insights into our analysis of Ege Seramik Sanayi ve Ticaret stock in this financial health report. Gain insights into Ege Seramik Sanayi ve Ticaret's historical outcomes by reviewing our past performance report. Fitaihi Holding Group Simply Wall St Financial Health Rating: ★★★★★★ Overview: Fitaihi Holding Group operates in the luxury sector, offering gold, jewelry, and other high-end products primarily in Saudi Arabia, with a market cap of SAR918.50 million. Operations: The company's revenue is primarily generated from its operations in Saudi Arabia, amounting to SAR44.77 million. Market Cap: SAR918.5M Fitaihi Holding Group, with a market cap of SAR918.50 million, operates in the luxury sector and primarily generates revenue from Saudi Arabia. The company reported first-quarter sales of SAR13.69 million, slightly down from the previous year, resulting in a net loss of SAR0.98 million compared to a profit last year. Despite this setback, Fitaihi has maintained high-quality earnings and impressive recent earnings growth of 104.4%, significantly outpacing industry averages. The company is debt-free with strong short-term assets covering both short- and long-term liabilities, reflecting robust financial health amidst current challenges. Click to explore a detailed breakdown of our findings in Fitaihi Holding Group's financial health report. Evaluate Fitaihi Holding Group's historical performance by accessing our past performance report. Elbit Medical Technologies Simply Wall St Financial Health Rating: ★★★★★★ Overview: Elbit Medical Technologies Ltd is an investment holding company focused on the research, development, production, and marketing of therapeutic medical systems globally, with a market cap of ₪24.86 million. Operations: Elbit Medical Technologies Ltd does not report any specific revenue segments. Market Cap: ₪24.86M Elbit Medical Technologies Ltd, with a market cap of ₪24.86 million, has transitioned to profitability in the past year despite being pre-revenue with earnings below US$1 million. The company is debt-free and maintains a Price-To-Earnings ratio of 8.8x, which is lower than the IL market average of 16x, suggesting potential value. Its short-term assets ($1.3M) comfortably cover its short-term liabilities ($144K). However, it experiences high share price volatility and possesses a low Return on Equity at 10.3%. The board's average tenure stands at six years, indicating experienced governance amidst an uncertain financial landscape. Dive into the specifics of Elbit Medical Technologies here with our thorough balance sheet health report. Learn about Elbit Medical Technologies' historical performance here. Make It Happen Gain an insight into the universe of 77 Middle Eastern Penny Stocks by clicking here. Contemplating Other Strategies? Rare earth metals are the new gold rush. Find out which 24 stocks are leading the charge. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include IBSE:EGSER SASE:4180 and TASE:EMTC-M. This article was originally published by Simply Wall St. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@ Sign in to access your portfolio


New York Times
25 minutes ago
- New York Times
Quote of the Day: What Food Costs in Gaza, if You Can Find It
'The prices are so high that they become meaningless.' ARIF HUSAIN, the chief economist at the U.N. World Food Program, on the cost of essentials available in Gaza being prohibitively expensive for many.
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Top 3 Middle Eastern Dividend Stocks Yielding Up To 8.7%
In the current Middle Eastern market landscape, Gulf equities have experienced muted performance due to disappointing corporate earnings and a cautious stance from the U.S. Federal Reserve on interest rates. Despite these challenges, dividend stocks remain an attractive option for investors seeking steady income, as they can provide a buffer against market volatility and offer potential returns through regular payouts. Top 10 Dividend Stocks In The Middle East Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating Saudi Telecom (SASE:7010) 9.99% ★★★★★☆ Saudi Awwal Bank (SASE:1060) 6.17% ★★★★★☆ Riyad Bank (SASE:1010) 6.38% ★★★★★☆ National Bank of Ras Al-Khaimah (P.S.C.) (ADX:RAKBANK) 6.45% ★★★★★☆ Emirates NBD Bank PJSC (DFM:EMIRATESNBD) 3.74% ★★★★★☆ Emaar Properties PJSC (DFM:EMAAR) 6.56% ★★★★★☆ Commercial Bank of Dubai PSC (DFM:CBD) 4.90% ★★★★★☆ Banque Saudi Fransi (SASE:1050) 6.41% ★★★★★☆ Arab National Bank (SASE:1080) 5.98% ★★★★★☆ Anadolu Hayat Emeklilik Anonim Sirketi (IBSE:ANHYT) 6.56% ★★★★★☆ Click here to see the full list of 75 stocks from our Top Middle Eastern Dividend Stocks screener. Below we spotlight a couple of our favorites from our exclusive screener. Al Wathba National Insurance Company PJSC Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★☆☆ Overview: Al Wathba National Insurance Company PJSC operates in the general insurance and reinsurance sectors both within the United Arab Emirates and internationally, with a market capitalization of AED774.18 million. Operations: Al Wathba National Insurance Company PJSC generates revenue from its Motor insurance segment, which accounts for AED206.19 million, and its Investments segment, contributing AED97.50 million. Dividend Yield: 5.3% Al Wathba National Insurance Company PJSC has shown an increase in dividend payments over the past decade, but these have been unreliable and volatile. Despite a high payout ratio of 84.7%, dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows. The company's recent net loss of AED 16.05 million highlights financial challenges, with profit margins significantly lower than last year. Additionally, AWNIC's dividend yield of 5.35% is below the top tier in the AE market. Click here to discover the nuances of Al Wathba National Insurance Company PJSC with our detailed analytical dividend report. Our valuation report here indicates Al Wathba National Insurance Company PJSC may be overvalued. Al-Babtain Power and Telecommunications Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★☆☆ Overview: Al-Babtain Power and Telecommunications Company, along with its subsidiaries, manufactures lighting poles and power transmission towers and accessories in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, with a market cap of SAR3.56 billion. Operations: Al-Babtain Power and Telecommunications Company generates revenue from four main segments: Towers and Metal Structures Sector (SAR1.18 billion), Solar Energy Sector (SAR592.76 million), Columns and Lighting (SAR571.13 million), and Design, Supply, and Installation (SAR404.90 million). Dividend Yield: 3.5% Al-Babtain Power and Telecommunications has a sustainable dividend payout with a low payout ratio of 35.4%, supported by earnings and cash flows. The company reported Q1 net income of SAR 88.2 million, up from SAR 82.6 million the previous year, despite lower sales of SAR 631.23 million. However, its dividends have been unreliable over the past decade due to volatility exceeding annual drops of 20%. The stock trades at a favorable P/E ratio of 13.3x compared to the SA market average, yet its dividend yield is below top-tier payers in the region. Dive into the specifics of Al-Babtain Power and Telecommunications here with our thorough dividend report. Our valuation report here indicates Al-Babtain Power and Telecommunications may be undervalued. Rimoni Industries Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★☆☆ Overview: Rimoni Industries Ltd. designs, engineers, and manufactures molds and precise injection molding assemblies for various industries including medical, automotive, agricultural, high-tech, and consumer sectors in Israel with a market cap of ₪478.60 million. Operations: Rimoni Industries Ltd. generates revenue from its segments in patterns and plastic casting, amounting to ₪14.26 million and ₪169.63 million respectively. Dividend Yield: 8.8% Rimoni Industries offers a high dividend yield of 8.78%, ranking it among the top 25% in the IL market, though its payouts have been unstable and not fully covered by earnings, with a payout ratio of 102.8%. Despite an increase in dividends over the past decade, their reliability remains questionable due to volatility. Recent Q1 results showed slight earnings growth with net income at ILS 10.92 million against lower sales of ILS 46.57 million year-on-year. Delve into the full analysis dividend report here for a deeper understanding of Rimoni Industries. Insights from our recent valuation report point to the potential undervaluation of Rimoni Industries shares in the market. Seize The Opportunity Click this link to deep-dive into the 75 companies within our Top Middle Eastern Dividend Stocks screener. Are you invested in these stocks already? Keep abreast of every twist and turn by setting up a portfolio with Simply Wall St, where we make it simple for investors like you to stay informed and proactive. Unlock the power of informed investing with Simply Wall St, your free guide to navigating stock markets worldwide. Looking For Alternative Opportunities? Explore high-performing small cap companies that haven't yet garnered significant analyst attention. Fuel your portfolio with companies showing strong growth potential, backed by optimistic outlooks both from analysts and management. Find companies with promising cash flow potential yet trading below their fair value. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include ADX:AWNIC SASE:2320 and TASE:RIMO. This article was originally published by Simply Wall St. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@