Business Blog

Proposed merger of Saudi British Bank (SABB) and Alawwal Bank will become clear by the end of the first quarter of 2018.

Insurance stocks dragged down Saudi Arabia's market early on Wednesday while bourses in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar were firm.

Shares in Saudi Arabian insurance companies may remain under pressure on Wednesday, while a technical rebound by Qatar's stock market could continue.

Gulf stock markets were generally weak in early trade on Tuesday with telecommunications companies weighed down by the Iraqi government saying it would seek control of Kurdistan-based mobile phone operators.

The banking sector helped the Saudi Arabian stock index outperform the region in early trade on Wednesday, but shares of a Saudi insurer were knocked lower after the financial regulator issued it with a warning.

Suspension does not absolve the insurer from its obligations and claims related to existing insurance policies