Bahrain-based GFH acquired 12 US hotels in a joint venture deal as the company continues to expand in the country. Reuters
Bahrain-based GFH acquired 12 US hotels in a joint venture deal as the company continues to expand in the country. Reuters

GFH third quarter profit climbs 23.3% on investment banking activities



GFH Financial Group, the Bahrain-based Sharia-compliant investment firm, said third quarter net income surged 23.3 per cent, boosted by its investment banking business.

Net profit attributable to shareholders in the three months to the end of September reached $30.9 million (Dh113.4m), GFH said in a statement on Monday. Its consolidated income for the third quarter also jumped 22.5 per cent to $31.26m.

The investment bank also reported a $103.4m net income for the first nine months of the year, a 19 per cent rise from a year earlier, it said. The company attributed the rise in part to strong contributions from investment activities.

“Significant improvements for the first nine months of the year can be attributed to growing contributions from the Group’s investment banking activities, which forms the core of our business and focus as we go forward,” Jassim Alseddiqi, Chairman of GFH Financial Group, said. “With this sustained momentum and progress, we expect to make even further gains by year end.”

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Equity attributable to shareholders came in at $1.09 billion for the first nine months of the year, dropping from $1.13bn at the end of the same period in 2017. The total assets of the group, however, increased 11 per cent to $4.43bn for the period.

In October, the Manama-headquartered firm received "conditional approval" from the central bank on an offer to sell its real estate portfolio for $1bn. It expects to receive an upfront payment ranging from $259m to $380m, with the remainder based on a joint development agreement over five years, the company said in a statement at the time. GFH is seeking regulatory approval to list its shares on Saudi Arabia's Tadawul benchmark gauge in addition to its shares trading in Bahrain, Kuwait and Dubai.

In May, the company acquired 85 per cent of UAE-based retail app, The Entertainer, through a deal which gives GFH about 5 to 10 per cent control. GFH will invest up to $150m in The Entertainer throughout the holding period.

German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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  • Animals
  • Fireworks/ flares
  • Radios or power banks
  • Laser pointers
  • Glass
  • Selfie sticks/ umbrellas
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1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

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Launched: 2008

Categories: Health, energy, water, food, global high schools

Prize: Dh2.2 million (Dh360,000 for global high schools category)

Winners’ announcement: Monday, January 13

 

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335 million people positively impacted by projects

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10 million people given access to clean and affordable drinking water

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6.5 billion litres of water saved

26 million school children given solar lighting

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Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo

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Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

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Lampedusa: Gateway to Europe
Pietro Bartolo and Lidia Tilotta
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