Latest news with #MENAregion
Zawya
10-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
MENA investment banking fees dip 2% in H1 2025 to $773.7mln
Investment banking fees in the MENA region dipped 2% year-on-year in the first half of 2025, according to a new LSEG Deals Intelligence report, during a period that saw elevated geopolitical tensions, oil price volatility and fears of a global trade war. Equity capital markets were the most impacted, with underwriting fees declining 18% to $169.9 million, marking a two-year low, according to LSEG's 'MENA Investment Banking Review H1 2025' data. An estimated $773.7 million in investment banking fees were generated in MENA over the period, down from $790.28 million in H1 2024, with HSBC Holdings taking the top spot with $64 million in H1 fees or a 6% year-on-year increase. JP Morgan took second place, with $56 million in banking fees, signifying a 65% year-on-year increase, followed by Citi coming in third, generating $50.8 million in fees and a 55% increase over H1 2024. Rise in issuances The LSEG report also revealed a 20% rise in debt capital markets' underwriting fees to $278.9 million in the first half of 2025, hitting an all-time high. The MENA region saw a record surge in bond issuances, totalling $86.8 billion during the first half of 2025, and indicating a 17% rise in value over last year, besting all previous first half tallies. Advisory fees earned from completed mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions totalled $191 million, 52% more than the value registered last year at this time and the highest first-half total since 2022, LSEG data revealed, which was buoyed by robust dealmaking in MENA, reaching $115.5 billion in value in the first half of 2025 or a 149% increase compared to the same period last year. The largest completed deal in the region involved Scopely, a US-based firm backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, which signed a deal worth $3.5 billion to acquire the video game division of Niantic Labs. In the region, Saudi edged out the UAE once again regionally, accounting for 41% of all MENA fees generated during the first half of 2025, followed by the UAE at 35% and Qatar at 7%. According to LSEG, syndicated lending fees declined 40% compared to year ago levels to US$133.9 million, hitting a five-year low. LSEG Investment Banking fees are imputed for all deals without publicly disclosed fee information.
Gulf Business
09-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
MENA region's most influential CEOs of 2025
In this special feature, Gulf Business recognises the 30 most influential CEOs across the MENA region. These business leaders are driving innovation, accelerating growth, and reshaping industries through bold strategies and decisive leadership. Our editorial team followed a structured and transparent methodology to curate this list. Each CEO leads an organisation with a strong regional presence, consistent business performance, and a visible brand footprint across MENA and beyond. The evaluation considered several key factors, including leadership during challenging periods, long-term strategic vision, industry influence, and public visibility through media and thought leadership. Representing a wide spectrum of sectors such as energy, finance, technology, real estate, and consumer goods, these CEOs are not only navigating complex market dynamics but also setting new benchmarks for excellence. Their impact extends beyond balance sheets, influencing policy, talent, and innovation across the region.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Stagwell's Consulum Launches Maydan Sports With Its Partners
Stagwell Inc. (NASDAQ:STGW) is one of the 10 Most Undervalued AI Stocks to Buy According to Analysts. On June 18, Stagwell's leading strategy and communications advisory firm in the MENA region, Consulum, announced the launch of Maydan Sports. Maydan Sports is a global sports engagement collective designed to assist firms across the MENA region to build global recognition and deliver domestic impact through sport. Consulum, along with Stagwell agencies, will support the launch of Maydan Sports to introduce world-class marketing, immersive technology, and regional expertise to elevate the region's global sports presence. The collective will support clubs, brands, public bodies, and federations to enhance the impact of sports in the MENA region. Stagwell's Consulum Launches Maydan Sports With Its Partners 'With the world's eyes firmly on the region, the potential for all stakeholders – from governments and brands to local youth and communities – is immense. Maydan Sports is designed to drive this momentum and ensure our clients' sporting agendas deliver enduring impact,' said Dr. Craig Wilkie, Managing Director of Maydan Sports. Advertisement The MENA region holds great potential with major support events ahead, such as the FIFA World Cup, Esports Olympics, Formula 1 races, and Asian Football Cups, among others. Stagwell Inc. (NASDAQ:STGW) is a digital-first marketing company. It operates through three segments, including, Integrated Agencies Network, Brand Performance Network, and the Communications Network. Stagwell uses AI to categorize content, level it up to brand standards, and make it more effective. While we acknowledge the potential of STGW as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Unstoppable Stocks That Could Double Your Money. Disclosure: None.
Khaleej Times
12-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
amana announces expansion of investment platform for all levels of investors
amana, a leading investment platform, announces the expansion of its offerings to meet the needs of both novice and experienced investors across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). With over 350,000 registered users, amana continues to provide accessible, user-friendly trading and investment services for individuals seeking exposure to both regional and global financial markets. amana now offers commission-free investments in top global stocks such as Microsoft, Netflix, and prominent MENA-listed companies, including Emaar and Salik. This zero-cost access extends to exchange and clearing fees, making it a competitive choice for those looking to build diversified portfolios over the long term. Additionally, the platform supports a wide range of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) across major assets, including US and MENA equities, gold, fixed income, and cryptocurrencies. amana also offers Shariah-compliant investment options, ensuring that all investors can create portfolios aligned with their values. Quickly becoming the preferred platform for active traders in the MENA region, amana provides access to over 450 cryptocurrencies - the largest selection offered by any locally regulated MENA brokerage. The platform also supports trading in more than 5,500 global and regional assets, including the US and international equities, forex, commodities, major market indices, oil futures, and derivatives. To further attract high-volume traders, amana offers a rebate programme with up to 20 per cent cash-back on trading spreads. Additionally, users can earn up to 3.5 per cent interest on uninvested cash, enhancing their potential returns. The app, which is mobile-first, is intuitive and supported by robust regulatory oversight from global authorities, including the SCA, CMA, CYSEC, FCA, DFSA, and LFSA. These strong regulatory frameworks bolster the platform's reputation for security and trustworthiness. With both mobile and desktop access, users can manage their investments seamlessly, eliminating the hassle of using multiple platforms. 'We've built amana around the idea of full access and full control,' said Muhammad Rasoul, CEO of amana. 'Whether you want to build wealth over the long term, actively trade across markets, or do both, amana empowers you with the breadth of assets, the technology, and the transparency to do it your way. In today's digital economy, we believe that everyone has a right to access the global markets and have an opportunity to build wealth without incurring the high fees and commissions charged by banks, traditional brokers, and other investment apps.'
Arabian Business
29-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
MENA region records $46bn in M&A activity in Q1
The MENA region recorded M&A activity worth $46bn in Q1, according to the latest EY MENA M&A Insights report. It represents an increase of 66 per cent, when compared to $27.6b in Q1 2024. The MENA region witnessed 225 M&A deals in Q1 2025, up from the 172 deals recorded in Q1 2024, reflecting a 31 per cent increase in deal volume when compared year-on-year. MENA M&A activity 2025 Cross-border deals were the primary driver of M&A activity in the MENA region, contributing 52 per cent of total deal volume with 117 deals and 81 per cent of total deal value at $37.3bn. The first quarter of 2025 recorded the highest cross-border deal activity both in volume and value when compared to the same period in the past five years, as companies increasingly pursued growth and diversification beyond domestic markets. Brad Watson, MENA EY-Parthenon Leader, said: 'In 2024 we saw a steady flow of M&A deals and the MENA region continues to exhibit a robust influx of M&A transactions in 2025. This is supported by regulatory reforms, policy shifts, and a favourable macroeconomic outlook, including easing interest rates and improved investor sentiment. 'This growth is also reflected in the steady increase of domestic M&A activity, which contributed 48 per cent of total deal volume in Q1 2025. 'The rise in domestic M&A transactions aligns with the IMF projection that MENA GDP will grow by 3.6 per cent this year and is further supported by the strong global M&A momentum. 'Companies are realigning their strategies to better accommodate the need for diversification, digital transformation, and the integration of emerging technologies.' In the MENA region, the UAE remained the top target country with 63 deals totalling $20.3bn in Q1 2025. Kuwait ranked second in terms of deal proceeds, reaching $2.3bn, driven by two major transactions in the Diversified Industrial Products and Power and Utilities sectors. During the first three months of 2025, Canada attracted the highest outbound deal value from MENA investors at $6.4bn, while the USA remained the preferred target destination in terms of deal volume. Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) like ADIA, PIF, and Mubadala, along with other government-related entities (GREs), remained key M&A drivers in Q1 2025, aligning with national economic strategies and diversification goals. In the first quarter of 2025, M&A activity in the MENA region witnessed a 20 per cent increase in deal volume while deal value rose significantly reaching $8.7bn as compared to $1.69bn recorded in Q1 2024. The technology sector led domestic M&A activity in MENA in Q1 2025, contributing 37 per cent of total domestic deal value and 27 per cent of total domestic deal volume. The largest domestic deal during the first quarter of the year was a $2.2bn acquisition where Group 42, an Abu Dhabi based AI and cloud computing firm, agreed to acquire a 40 per cent stake in Khazna Data Centres, a digital infrastructure provider. Intraregional deals involving the UAE, Kuwait, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) accounted for 83 per cent of total domestic deal value and 56 per cent of total domestic deal volume, highlighting strong intraregional M&A activity, particularly in the technology, industrials, and real estate sectors. The MENA region continues to emerge as one of the most attractive destinations for foreign direct investment during the first few months of 2025, with inbound deal volume surging by 21 per cent and deal value reaching $17.6bn, when compared to $2.5bn in Q1 2024. The UAE remains the leading destination for foreign direct investment in the MENA region in Q1 2025, capturing 53 per cent of total inbound deal volume and 99 per cent of the total inbound deal value. Austria was the top investor country, accounting for 94 per cent of total inbound deal value, largely driven by a major transaction in the chemicals sector. During the first three months of 2025, outbound deal volume increased by 63 per cent when compared to Q1 2024, with a total deal value of $19.7bn, contributing 43 per cent of overall deal value. The UAE and KSA led the outbound investment from the MENA region, accounting for 77 per cent of total deal volume and 94 per cent of total outbound value. Though chemicals and oil and gas dominated in outbound deal value, outbound deal volume was primarily focused on technology, diversified industrial products, and professional services. This trend reflects the region's broader diversification strategy into high-growth global sectors. The UK was the leading destination for outbound M&A deals from MENA by volume, recording 13 transactions in Q1 2025. Canada and Peru together contributed 50 per cent of total outbound deal value driven primarily by a major transaction in Canada's chemical sector. ADNOC and Austria's OMV AG has agreed to acquire Canada's Nova chemicals for $6.3bn by holding 46.94 per cent each in the newly formed Borouge International Group. Anil Menon, MENA EY-Parthenon Head of M&A and Equity Capital Markets Leader, said: 'The MENA deal markets remained resilient despite lack of clarity on two fronts: the impact of monetary policy on cost of capital and the ongoing tariff and trade discussions. 'The MENA deal book for the remainder of 2025 is promising and we can expect to see increased activity in consumer, technology, and energy sectors. In addition, with AI expected to drive material shifts in fundamental value, we can expect to see significant capital allocation in technology.'
