• Agrofood
  • Business & Economy
  • Construction
  • Energy
  • Healthcare
  • Hospitality
  • IFP Events
  • IFP Insider
    • Event News
    • Interviews
  • العربية
IFP Info - News
  • Agrofood
    • All
    • Agriculture
    • Environment
    • Food

    Food Africa and pacprocess MEA attract over 25,000 trade visitors to the trade fair duo in Egypt

    Pacts worth over OMR 33 million signed to establish agricultural, fisheries projects

    Pacts worth over OMR 33 million signed to establish agricultural, fisheries projects

    Egypt’s food industries contribute 24.5% of GDP

    Egypt’s food industries contribute 24.5% of GDP

    $36mln contract for construction of Duqm fisheries complex

    $36mln contract for construction of Duqm fisheries complex

    Ministry signs agreement to support Oman’s honey industry

    Ministry signs agreement to support Oman’s honey industry

    Local, Italian companies partner up to establish food retail chain in Egypt

    Local, Italian companies partner up to establish food retail chain in Egypt

    Trending Tags

    • Business & Economy
      • All
      • Business
      • Communication
      • Digital
      • Economy
      • Finance
      • Trade
      • Transport & Logistics

      Food Africa and pacprocess MEA attract over 25,000 trade visitors to the trade fair duo in Egypt

      Profits at top Saudi banks jump 17.6% in Q1

      Profits at top Saudi banks jump 17.6% in Q1

      GCC can create 600,000 tech jobs and add US$255 billion to GDP by 2030

      GCC can create 600,000 tech jobs and add US$255 billion to GDP by 2030

      What will Qatar do with its World Cup infrastructure after FIFA 2022 ends?

      What will Qatar do with its World Cup infrastructure after FIFA 2022 ends?

      New study reveals that UAE is most competitive economy in the Arab world

      New study reveals that UAE is most competitive economy in the Arab world

      Top 10 listed companies in the Middle East

      Trending Tags

      • CES 2017
      • Election Results
      • eSports
    • Construction
      • All
      • Infrastructure
      • Real Estate
      Oman Construction Equipment Industry to 2028

      Oman Construction Equipment Industry to 2028

      $36mln contract for construction of Duqm fisheries complex

      $36mln contract for construction of Duqm fisheries complex

      What will Qatar do with its World Cup infrastructure after FIFA 2022 ends?

      What will Qatar do with its World Cup infrastructure after FIFA 2022 ends?

      Madayn working on major Oman industrial city projects

      Madayn working on major Oman industrial city projects

      Foundation stone laid for new 700-bed hospital is Salalah, Oman

      Foundation stone laid for new 700-bed hospital is Salalah, Oman

      Iraq set to award new Faw Port deals

      Iraq set to award new Faw Port deals

      Trending Tags

      • Energy
        • All
        • Oil & Gas
        • Power & Electricity
        • Renewable Energy
        Suez Canal expects US$3.5 billion in revenues in H1

        Suez Canal expects US$3.5 billion in revenues in H1

        UAE and Egypt’s consortium to buy African renewables firm Lekela Power

        UAE and Egypt’s consortium to buy African renewables firm Lekela Power

        Fitch revises Saudi Aramco’s outlook to positive from stable

        Fitch revises Saudi Aramco’s outlook to positive from stable

        Investments in renewables in Egypt reach LE6 bn: Official

        Investments in renewables in Egypt reach LE6 bn: Official

        Egypt signs 8 gas exploration contracts worth $934mn over 15 months

        Egypt signs 8 gas exploration contracts worth $934mn over 15 months

        JGC lands $3.7bn Iraq refinery upgradation project deal

        JGC lands $3.7bn Iraq refinery upgradation project deal

        Trending Tags

        • Healthcare
          Coronavirus: UAE conducting human trials for Covid-19 vaccine

          Coronavirus: UAE conducting human trials for Covid-19 vaccine

          COVID-19 vaccine could be available by autumn: Oxford University

          GSK to develop plant-based COVID-19 vaccine with Canada’s Medicago

          Egyptian COVID-19 drug to be on market in two weeks: Health Ministry

          Egyptian COVID-19 drug to be on market in two weeks: Health Ministry

          UAE sends medical aid to Iraq to fight COVID-19

          UAE sends medical aid to Iraq to fight COVID-19

          UAE launches phase III trial of inactivated Covid vaccine

          UAE launches phase III trial of inactivated Covid vaccine

          COVID-19 vaccine could be available by autumn: Oxford University

          COVID-19 vaccine could be available by autumn: Oxford University

        • Hospitality

          Food Africa and pacprocess MEA attract over 25,000 trade visitors to the trade fair duo in Egypt

          Qatar has ‘solid’ line-up of infrastructure, hospitality projects to prepare for large influx of visitors in 2022: OBG

          Qatar has ‘solid’ line-up of infrastructure, hospitality projects to prepare for large influx of visitors in 2022: OBG

          Saudi to be among world’s big leisure tourism hubs by 2030

          Saudi to be among world’s big leisure tourism hubs by 2030

          Qatar’s hospitality sector peaks despite turbulent 2020

          Qatar’s hospitality sector peaks despite turbulent 2020

          Accor inks deal to manage first Swissôtel-branded hotel and residential project in Qatar

          Accor inks deal to manage first Swissôtel-branded hotel and residential project in Qatar

          Staycations to stimulate Qatar’s hospitality sector

          Staycations to stimulate Qatar’s hospitality sector

        • IFP Events

          Project Oman

          Oman Agrofood

          Food Africa

          Pacprocess MEA

          Oman Agrofood

          Project Qatar

          Project Qatar

          Hospitality Qatar

          Hospitality Qatar

        • IFP Insider
          • Event News
          • Interviews
        • العربية
        No Result
        View All Result
        • Agrofood
          • All
          • Agriculture
          • Environment
          • Food

          Food Africa and pacprocess MEA attract over 25,000 trade visitors to the trade fair duo in Egypt

          Pacts worth over OMR 33 million signed to establish agricultural, fisheries projects

          Pacts worth over OMR 33 million signed to establish agricultural, fisheries projects

          Egypt’s food industries contribute 24.5% of GDP

          Egypt’s food industries contribute 24.5% of GDP

          $36mln contract for construction of Duqm fisheries complex

          $36mln contract for construction of Duqm fisheries complex

          Ministry signs agreement to support Oman’s honey industry

          Ministry signs agreement to support Oman’s honey industry

          Local, Italian companies partner up to establish food retail chain in Egypt

          Local, Italian companies partner up to establish food retail chain in Egypt

          Trending Tags

          • Business & Economy
            • All
            • Business
            • Communication
            • Digital
            • Economy
            • Finance
            • Trade
            • Transport & Logistics

            Food Africa and pacprocess MEA attract over 25,000 trade visitors to the trade fair duo in Egypt

            Profits at top Saudi banks jump 17.6% in Q1

            Profits at top Saudi banks jump 17.6% in Q1

            GCC can create 600,000 tech jobs and add US$255 billion to GDP by 2030

            GCC can create 600,000 tech jobs and add US$255 billion to GDP by 2030

            What will Qatar do with its World Cup infrastructure after FIFA 2022 ends?

            What will Qatar do with its World Cup infrastructure after FIFA 2022 ends?

            New study reveals that UAE is most competitive economy in the Arab world

            New study reveals that UAE is most competitive economy in the Arab world

            Top 10 listed companies in the Middle East

            Trending Tags

            • CES 2017
            • Election Results
            • eSports
          • Construction
            • All
            • Infrastructure
            • Real Estate
            Oman Construction Equipment Industry to 2028

            Oman Construction Equipment Industry to 2028

            $36mln contract for construction of Duqm fisheries complex

            $36mln contract for construction of Duqm fisheries complex

            What will Qatar do with its World Cup infrastructure after FIFA 2022 ends?

            What will Qatar do with its World Cup infrastructure after FIFA 2022 ends?

            Madayn working on major Oman industrial city projects

            Madayn working on major Oman industrial city projects

            Foundation stone laid for new 700-bed hospital is Salalah, Oman

            Foundation stone laid for new 700-bed hospital is Salalah, Oman

            Iraq set to award new Faw Port deals

            Iraq set to award new Faw Port deals

            Trending Tags

            • Energy
              • All
              • Oil & Gas
              • Power & Electricity
              • Renewable Energy
              Suez Canal expects US$3.5 billion in revenues in H1

              Suez Canal expects US$3.5 billion in revenues in H1

              UAE and Egypt’s consortium to buy African renewables firm Lekela Power

              UAE and Egypt’s consortium to buy African renewables firm Lekela Power

              Fitch revises Saudi Aramco’s outlook to positive from stable

              Fitch revises Saudi Aramco’s outlook to positive from stable

              Investments in renewables in Egypt reach LE6 bn: Official

              Investments in renewables in Egypt reach LE6 bn: Official

              Egypt signs 8 gas exploration contracts worth $934mn over 15 months

              Egypt signs 8 gas exploration contracts worth $934mn over 15 months

              JGC lands $3.7bn Iraq refinery upgradation project deal

              JGC lands $3.7bn Iraq refinery upgradation project deal

              Trending Tags

              • Healthcare
                Coronavirus: UAE conducting human trials for Covid-19 vaccine

                Coronavirus: UAE conducting human trials for Covid-19 vaccine

                COVID-19 vaccine could be available by autumn: Oxford University

                GSK to develop plant-based COVID-19 vaccine with Canada’s Medicago

                Egyptian COVID-19 drug to be on market in two weeks: Health Ministry

                Egyptian COVID-19 drug to be on market in two weeks: Health Ministry

                UAE sends medical aid to Iraq to fight COVID-19

                UAE sends medical aid to Iraq to fight COVID-19

                UAE launches phase III trial of inactivated Covid vaccine

                UAE launches phase III trial of inactivated Covid vaccine

                COVID-19 vaccine could be available by autumn: Oxford University

                COVID-19 vaccine could be available by autumn: Oxford University

              • Hospitality

                Food Africa and pacprocess MEA attract over 25,000 trade visitors to the trade fair duo in Egypt

                Qatar has ‘solid’ line-up of infrastructure, hospitality projects to prepare for large influx of visitors in 2022: OBG

                Qatar has ‘solid’ line-up of infrastructure, hospitality projects to prepare for large influx of visitors in 2022: OBG

                Saudi to be among world’s big leisure tourism hubs by 2030

                Saudi to be among world’s big leisure tourism hubs by 2030

                Qatar’s hospitality sector peaks despite turbulent 2020

                Qatar’s hospitality sector peaks despite turbulent 2020

                Accor inks deal to manage first Swissôtel-branded hotel and residential project in Qatar

                Accor inks deal to manage first Swissôtel-branded hotel and residential project in Qatar

                Staycations to stimulate Qatar’s hospitality sector

                Staycations to stimulate Qatar’s hospitality sector

              • IFP Events

                Project Oman

                Oman Agrofood

                Food Africa

                Pacprocess MEA

                Oman Agrofood

                Project Qatar

                Project Qatar

                Hospitality Qatar

                Hospitality Qatar

              • IFP Insider
                • Event News
                • Interviews
              • العربية
              No Result
              View All Result
              IFP Info - News
              No Result
              View All Result

              Why MENA stock markets are likely to shine in 2017

              Arabian Business

              January 24, 2017
              in Economy, Finance
              0

              While the year ahead could prove to be a bumpy one for global financial markets amid ongoing political and policy risks, there is reason for optimism over the outlook for stocks in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

              Compared to 2016, a number of structural tailwinds should give investors greater confidence in MENA’s fundamentals.

              The implementation of major fiscal and capital market reform throughout the region continues to impress markets, while the two major global transmission mechanisms – the US dollar and crude oil prices – are now working in MENA’s favor.

              In the context of emerging markets – where 2017 prospects have dimmed due to ongoing US dollar strength and the potential for new trade tensions – the outlook for MENA stocks is bright. Steady corporate earnings growth, undemanding stock valuations and attractive dividend yields, relative to other emerging markets, make the region appealing for investors.

              Of course, this is not to say local equity market performance this year will be linear. Global investment risks remain significant. Uncertainty abounds over US President-elect Donald Trump’s economic agenda and its impact on global trade, while years of ultra-easy US monetary look set to be reversed, potentially fueling more US dollar gains. Rising populism is another key theme we see playing out in global markets, ensuring that the risk premium placed on equities remains elevated in 2017.

              But even in the face of such headwinds, MENA stocks remain better positioned than their emerging market peers.

              Over the past 12 months the MENA region has taken bold steps to implement much needed fiscal and capital market change. Governments have been forced to consider new ways of reducing their dependence on hydrocarbons, without completely sacrificing economic growth. A Value Added Tax (VAT) across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) remains on the agenda for 2018, while corporation tax is also being considered.

              In Saudi Arabia, the Vision 2030 document provided a blueprint for modernizing the economy by cutting the kingdom’s dependence on oil, lowering government subsidies, and stimulating the private sector. Amid a range of measures, the government raised fuel prices by 50 percent in December 2015 and cut government payrolls – Saudi’s most significant recurring spending item.

              The recently announced 2017 budget highlighted just how serious the country is in its bid to reduce wasteful spending. The results of fiscal constraint show actual expenditure in 2016 declined by 15 percent compared to 2015 and by 28 percent compared to 2014. After two years of belt-tightening, Saudi has now budgeted for an 8 percent increase in spending in 2017, targeting key growth areas like healthcare, mining and education. The end goal is to eliminate Saudi’s fiscal deficit by 2020.

              Elsewhere, in Oman and Bahrain, energy and water subsidies have been cut, fuel prices raised by 50-60 percent and government spending scaled back. Egypt, meanwhile, finalized a $12bn deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in November 2016 after floating its currency and cutting subsidies. In our view, Egypt offers one of MENA’s strongest growth profiles due to years of limited investment and an ever-expanding population, which created pent-up demand for basic goods and services.

              Beyond fiscal reforms, further capital market liberalization in MENA could prove supportive for the region’s stock markets in 2017, especially as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait work towards inclusion in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (MSCI EM). With hundreds of billions of dollars in active and passively managed money tracking it, MSCI’s EM Index is a significant dictator of where equity market money flows.

              Make no mistake, MSCI inclusion would be a big deal. In terms of MSCI EM weighting, if Saudi was to be included today, it would represent about 3 percent of the benchmark index. The potential IPO of Saudi Aramco, even at the lower end of valuations, could add another 3 percent to this, helping eliminate what we have viewed as a material disconnect between the region’s gross domestic product (GDP) contribution and its representation in MSCI EM.

              Complementing the region’s ambitious reform agenda, as well as enhancing MENA’s investment case, is the twin fillip of ongoing US dollar strength and firmer crude oil prices.

              In terms of a strong Greenback, the region’s dependence on foreign capital, mostly through dollar denominated sovereign debt, remains measured and forms only a small part of its overall funding. Countries in the region still have a low debt-to-GDP ratio compared to other emerging market constituents, making them far less vulnerable to a rising dollar. The strong currency also adds to the appeal of local equities given that most GCC economies are pegged to the dollar, a relationship in our opinion that is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future.

              The other major factor working in MENA’s favor is the price of crude oil. The region’s hydrocarbon-dependent economies have benefited from a rally in oil prices that saw ICE Brent futures surge over 52 percent last year, the biggest annual gain since 2009, according to Bloomberg. Depending on compliance, the recent OPEC agreement to cut global production increases the likelihood that a lingering oversupply in the oil market will be eliminated, providing a positive backdrop for oil prices, and a much needed boost to the region’s finances.

              Although the global backdrop for 2017 is mired in uncertainty, within the context of emerging markets the MENA region still offers good value for investors. And with fiscal and capital market reform still firmly on the agenda, MENA equities might just provide the comfort and resistance that investors crave in volatile times.
              Arabian Business
              24 January

              Previous Post

              Middle East fastest growing construction market in 2017

              Next Post

              Launching Future Drainage & Stormwater Networks KSA Seminar

              Next Post

              ‘Smart Qatar Zone’ to debut at ‘Qitcom 2017’

              News Letter

              Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

              *we hate spam as much as you do

              Recent News

              Food Africa and pacprocess MEA attract over 25,000 trade visitors to the trade fair duo in Egypt

              January 30, 2023
              Drupa 2024 is well on track

              Drupa 2024 is well on track

              July 19, 2022
              The halls are packed: This is interpack 2023

              The halls are packed: This is interpack 2023

              July 19, 2022
              IFP Info – News

              The latest Middle East Business News & Events brought to you on a daily basis from multiple credible news portals around the world

              Follow Us

              Categories

              • Agrofood
              • Business & Economy
              • Construction
              • Covid-19 Updates
              • Energy
              • Event News
              • Healthcare
              • Hospitality
              • Interviews

              Countries

              • Bahrain
              • Egypt
              • Iran
              • Iraq
              • Jordan
              • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
              • Kuwait
              • Lebanon
              • Oman
              • Other Africa
              • Other GCC
              • Other Middle East
              • Qatar
              • Syria
              • United Arab Emirates
              • Worldwide

              Newsletter

              Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

              *we hate spam as much as you do

              • About
              • Advertise
              • Privacy & Policy
              • Contact

              © 2018 IFP Group - All Rights Reserved / www.ifpexpo.com

              No Result
              View All Result
              • Agrofood
              • Business & Economy
              • Construction
              • Energy
              • Healthcare
              • Hospitality
              • IFP Events
              • IFP Insider
                • Event News
                • Interviews
              • العربية

              © 2018 IFP Group - All Rights Reserved / www.ifpexpo.com