Oil prices fuel Taqa interest



Shares in Abu Dhabi National Energy Company rose to their highest since September 2009 as investors were encouraged by rising oil prices.

The company, also known as Taqa, said last week high oil prices would help ensure funds for a coming US$1.8 billion capital investment programme.

Its shares rose 3.8 per cent to Dh1.63 on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) yesterday, although volumes were low.

Banking stocks were also in focus as Emirates NBD, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) all reported first-quarter results.

Emirates NBD ended 2.4 per cent higher at Dh3.85, the highest since the end of 2009, despite booking impairment charges that more than doubled those of the first quarter last year. Shares in ADCB ended down 0.4 per cent at Dh2.69, while ADIB closed 0.3 per cent lower at Dh3.21. First Gulf Bank also missed analysts' forecasts for the first quarter when it posted a 4.8 per cent decline in net profit, compared with the first quarter of last year, to Dh875 million but analysts remained optimistic.

"The stock is very cheap. Our target price offers 26 per cent upside, the highest within the UAE," said Jaap Meijer, head of banking research at Alembic HC Securities.

The shares ended flat yesterday at Dh17.60.

The Dubai Financial Market General Index ended 0.2 per cent lower at 1,634.75 and the ADX General Index closed flat at 2,689.30.

In Kuwait, Global Investment House surged in response to Sunday's news that a Dubai court had ordered National Bank of Umm Al Qaiwain to pay Global $250m, plus about $54.6m in interest.

Shares in Global, which resumed trading yesterday after a two-day suspension, climbed 6 per cent.

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
The specs

Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now

Fund-raising tips for start-ups

Develop an innovative business concept

Have the ability to differentiate yourself from competitors

Put in place a business continuity plan after Covid-19

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* Tips from Jassim Al Marzooqi and Walid Hanna

Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

The specs: 2019 BMW X4

Price, base / as tested: Dh276,675 / Dh346,800

Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged in-line six-cylinder

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 354hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 500Nm @ 1,550rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 9.0L / 100km

The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

Company%20profile
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Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

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Developer: Ubisoft Montreal / Ubisoft Toronto
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, Windows
​​​​​​​Release Date: April 10

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding