Latest news with #QFMA
Zawya
11-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Dukhan Bank updates shareholder eligibility date for interim dividends
DOHA: Dukhan Bank (a Qatari public shareholding company) announced an update to the shareholders' eligibility date for interim dividends to July 16, 2025. In a statement published on the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) website on Thursday, the bank explained that this amendment is in line with Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA) Board Decision No. (7) of 2023, as amended by Decision No. 5 of 2024 and Circular No. 5 of 2024. Dukhan Bank's net profits increased by 3.5 percent during the first half of 2025, reaching QR811.3m, compared to QR 784.1m during the same period last year. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Qatar Tribune
21-06-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
QFMA, QSE, Edaa showcase market strength at London conferences
Tribune News Network Doha The Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA), Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE), and Edaa have successfully concluded their joint participation in the 4th HSBC GCC Conference, held in London from June 16 to 19, 2025, and the Qatar Investment Forum on June 18–19. These events highlighted Qatar's capital market developments and provided a platform for engagement with leading global asset managers and institutional investors. At the GCC conference, a high-level delegation led by the CEOs of QFMA, QSE, and Edaa met with a wide range of market participants including asset managers, prime brokers, and global custodians. The event featured opening remarks by the CEO of HSBC Qatar and a keynote address by Qatar's National Planning Council, which presented insights on Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy (NDS3). A panel discussion, moderated by QSE, included speakers from Ashmore Group, Global Infrastructure Partners – a BlackRock company, and the National Planning Council. The conference attracted over 300 participants, including representatives from 60 global investment institutions and more than 100 listed companies across the GCC. Qatar Stock Exchange showcased recent regulatory reforms, technological upgrades, and the growing appeal of its capital market to global investors seeking stable, long-term opportunities. As part of the conference agenda, QSE also took part in the GCC Exchanges CEOs Meeting on June 17, reinforcing regional cooperation and knowledge exchange. These engagements are in line with the broader goals of Qatar's Third Financial Sector Strategy, which aims to enhance the global competitiveness of the country's financial markets. In a dedicated outreach effort, QSE hosted a special investment forum in London, facilitating direct engagement between 15 QSE-listed companies and major institutional investors. Participating companies included Aamal Company, Commercial Bank of Qatar, Doha Bank, Gulf Warehousing Company, Industries Qatar, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding Company, Qatar Aluminium (Qatalum), Gulf International Services, Masraf Al Rayan, Meeza, Milaha, Ooredoo, Qatar Insurance Company, Qatar Islamic Bank, and Qatar National Bank. During the forum, more than 190 one-on-one and group meetings were held between Qatari companies and global investment firms. Discussions covered financial performance, long-term growth strategies, and Qatar's evolving economic landscape. These interactions reflect QSE's ongoing efforts to deepen international investor engagement and support capital market expansion. QFMA CEO Dr Tamy bin Ahmed Al Binali said, 'Developing Qatar's financial market ecosystem requires strategic alignment among key stakeholders. Our joint participation in London reflects the strong synergy between the regulator, the exchange, and the central depository—working collectively to position Qatar as a reliable and competitive global investment hub.' Edaa CEO Sheikh Mohammed bin Jassim Al Thani said, 'Our participation alongside QFMA and QSE highlights Edaa's critical role in delivering reliable, efficient post-trade services. We remain focused on investor protection and strengthening market infrastructure in accordance with international best practices.' Qatar Stock Exchange CEO Abdulla Mohammed Al Ansari said, 'Promoting Qatar's capital market and showcasing the strengths of our listed companies are central to our mission. We are committed to expanding our investor base, attracting more foreign capital, and advancing capital market development in alignment with the Qatar National Vision 2030.' Qatar's capital markets continue to demonstrate resilience and growth. In the first quarter of 2025, QSE-listed companies posted a combined net profit of QR13.22 billion, driven by strong fundamentals and generous dividend distributions. This performance reflects effective collaboration among QFMA, QSE, and Edaa in strengthening the market infrastructure, expanding product offerings, and enhancing regulatory frameworks. Aligned with the Third Financial Sector Strategy and broader national objectives, these joint efforts are reinforcing both domestic and global investor confidence—solidifying Qatar's position as a leading investment destination in the region and beyond.
Zawya
17-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Qatar: QFMA receives five acquisition and merger applications worth $160mln in 2024
Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Financial Market Authority (QFMA) received five applications related to the acquisition and merger activity, and five acquisitions were completed worth QR583m). Such transactions varied between indirect acquisitions inside the State (QR43m) and outside the State (QR540m), and included many sectors such as: Industrials, Transportation, Banks and Financial Services, QFMA noted in its recently released 2024 annual report. QFMA's responsibility is based on ensuring that companies meet the requirements for offering and listing, acquisition and merger requirements and verifying adequate disclosure in their submitted documents. During 2024, Qatar Financial Market Authority also worked on developing these requirements through developing Offering & Listing of Securities Rulebook, where all related rules were merged into one rulebook, in addition to developing some policies and procedures. Around 55 government debt instruments were listed, as Treasury Bills and Debt Bonds, with a total nominal value of QR51bn in last year, the report further said. QFMA is a key entity in the State working in enhancing the investment environment. Therefore, it plays a pivotal role in protecting investors, ensuring the stability and growth of capital markets, by establishing the highest levels of integrity and transparency, and ensuring that all concerned parties' compliance with the legislative and legal standards and controls aimed at regulating trading operations in the market. This enhances confidence in the Qatari economy and promote attracting more local and foreign investments and capital. The Authority witnessed intensive activity, as it focused on enhancing effective communication, locally or internationally, with all entities subject to the QFMA's jurisdiction, governmental and non-governmental institutions, and other relevant entities in the last year. It also sought to enhance transparency and build trust with the public and investors by providing accurate and up-to-date information on the legislation, policies and procedures followed in regulating, supervising and monitoring the Qatari capital markets. As part of QFMA's efforts to enhance transparency, improve the investor culture and the business environment in the country, and build a stable and attractive investment environment that guarantees the rights of all concerned parties. This contributes to the growth of the national economy, the Disclosure Section monitored, followed up, and analysed the disclosures of listed companies during 2024, analyzed their financial data, monitored the quality of disclosures, and ensured their compliance with relevant legislation and regulations. Disclosures issued by companies listed on the market were also monitored and followed up, with the aim of ensuring their compliance with disclosure at the specified times and sites and ensuring the comprehensiveness of the information disclosed as per the applicable legislation. During 2024, the Disciplinary Committee held (15) hearing sessions, registered (8) violations in the Committee's record, and (13) violations were adjudicated, and the amount value of violations amounted to QR 5.690m. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
09-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Qatar's QSE records five indirect acquisitions valued at $160.16mln in 2024
QSE-listed companies witnessed five indirect acquisitions valued at QR583mn during 2024 with a vast majority of them overseas, according to the official data. The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) listed companies witnessed five indirect acquisitions valued at QR583mn during 2024 with a vast majority of them overseas, according to the official data. 'During 2024, five acquisitions were completed worth QR583mn. Such transactions varied between indirect acquisitions inside and outside Qatar, and included many sectors such as industrials, transportation, banks and financial services,' the Qatar Financial Market Authority (QFMA) said in its latest annual report. Of the five acquisitions, three were indirect inside the country and valued at QR43mn (7% of the total) and were in the banks and financial services, industrials and transportation sectors; while the remaining 93% or QR540mn was for indirect acquisition overseas and in the banks and financial services/industrials sectors. The QFMA, through Securities Offering and Listing Affairs Department as the competent department, receives applications for companies' offering and listing, and applications for acquisition and merger, in cooperation with the 'One Single Window Committee'. It reviews the offering and listing prospectuses in addition to analysing the evaluation reports to verify the eligibility and worthiness of the companies applying for listing in the financial market and the requirements of acquisition and merger transactions, in a manner that ensures the transparency and disclosure required for investors to make their decisions properly. During 2024, the QFMA had received five applications for issuing shares, of which four are still under process; while a decision is pending on another exchange traded fund (ETF) as well as on one real estate investment trust. The QSE already has two ETFs, sponsored by AlRayan Bank and Doha Bank. During 2024, Al-Faleh Educational Holding Company moved from the venture market to the main market. All of the company's shares were listed with its capital of 240mn shares, bringing the number of companies listed on the main market to 52. The QFMA approved the listing of Qatar Electronic Systems Company (Techno Q) on the QSE's venture market. All of the company's shares, with a capital of 84.5mn shares, worth QR245.05mn, were listed directly without offering its shares for public subscription. This listing comes as part of QFMA's efforts to enhance diversity in the market and increase investment opportunities for investors. The listing of Techno-Q on the secondary market enables it to benefit from public funding and expand its investor base, in addition to enhancing transparency and financial disclosure in line with listing requirements. During 2024, as many as 55 government debt instruments were listed, as treasury bills and debt bonds, with a total nominal value of QR51bn. During 2024, the QFMA also issued as many as 56 ISINs: 37 treasury bills, 18 debt bonds and one newly listed company. ISIN or International Securities Identification Number is a 12-character alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies a specific security. © Gulf Times Newspaper 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
20-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Doha to ‘intensify' development of local currency debt: GCMA
Doha may 'intensify' the development of its local-currency debt market, which is currently going through an 'exciting' phase in view of the robust macroeconomic fundamentals and sovereign support, according to the Gulf Capital Market Association (GCMA). The local capital market regulator (Qatar Financial Markets Authority or QFMA) is committed to the sustainable sector and has increased the clarity around the issuance and listing of debt, Michael Grifferty, President, GCMA said in the Qatar Financial Centre's latest Islamic Finance report. The local currency market has begun to gain traction as it saw its first issuance by a publicly listed company in 2024, he highlighted. Estithmar Holding had last year issued a QR500mn sukuk, marking the first corporate issuance denominated in Qatari riyal, under its QR3.4bn programme. The three-year sukuk, maturing in September 2027, offers an 8.75% coupon and drew interest from government and non-government investors, including banks, insurers, asset managers and family offices. 'There is a possibility that Qatar may intensify the development of its nascent state local-currency programme,' Grifferty said. Terming Qatar's debt capital market as an 'exciting' work in progress, he said 'we have already seen an increase in the diversity of issuers and structures, many in sukuk format and increasingly for sustainable uses.' The state led in this regard by issuing a green bond in a benchmark size, and was the first regional sovereign to do so. In 2024, Qatar set a regional benchmark by issuing $2.5bn in green bonds to fund environment friendly projects, marking a new era for sustainable finance. The bonds are divided into two tranches: a $1bn tranche with a five-year maturity priced at 30 basis points spread over the US treasuries and a $1.5bn tranche with a 10-year maturity priced at 40 basis point spread over US treasuries. 'Banks have added labelled ESG (environment, social and governance) bonds and sukuk to their active issuance programmes,' Grifferty said. The Qatar Central Bank (QCB) is certainly behind this trend, having published its ESG and Sustainability Strategy for the Financial Sector in 2024, he said. 'This is having results, as almost 20% of the debt capital market is being issued for ESG purposes,' he said, quoting an international credit rating agency Fitch. Qatar's domestic markets have been buoyed by a robust economy underpinned by supportive public spending and the authorities' commitment to invest in economic transformation. 'Adding in a well-capitalised banking system and regulatory developments, the case for the Qatar market has only strengthened,' he said. Regulators for their part are laying the foundation for more active debt and equity markets with further market liberalisation, including by easing listing requirements and providing greater clarity about the path to issuance of both debt and equity instruments, according to him. Rounding out the ecosystem are the recent establishment of a ventures exchange, and the completion of a groundwork for listed derivatives to allow trading of futures and options, he said, adding 'we have also begun to see some activity in securities borrowing and lending (SBL). © Gulf Times Newspaper 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
