News Centre

Startupbootcamp FinTech Dubai Second Cohort Raises $2.8m And Signs Over 40 Proof Of Concepts In DIFC

Date 23/04/2020

• More than 50% growth in number of applications from 300 to 450 year-on-year
• Nearly fourfold increase in Proof of Concepts (PoCs) from nine to more than 40 year-on-year
• Diverse origin of the 10 start-ups each from 10 different countries in Europe, Asia, North America, Africa and Middle East
• Nine out of 10 start-ups choose DIFC as a stable and enabling long-term base to scale-up operations and benefit from easy access to the Middle East and North Africa

Qatar Stock Exchange: Official Business And Trading Hours During The Month Of Ramadan

Date 23/04/2020

Qatar Stock Exchange is pleased to announce that the official business hours during the month of Ramadan will be from 09:00am to 01:00pm as per QFMA instruction.

Egyptian Exchange: Trading Hours During The Holy Month Of Ramadan

Date 23/04/2020

The Egyptian Exchange (EGX) decided the time of trading session during the Holy month of Ramadan to be as follows:

First: The trading session of main market listed securities and SMEs market (NILEX); from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm, preceded by a discovery session at 9:30 am.

Euronext Strengthens Its Post-Trade Business With The Acquisition Of VP Securities, The Danish Central Securities Depository

Date 23/04/2020

• Euronext will acquire c.70% of VP Securities, the Danish CSD operator with more than €1.2tn of assets under custody and 16.6m securities settled in 2019, and opens an offer to all remaining shareholders
• The acquisition of VP Securities in Copenhagen significantly expands Euronext’s footprint in the Nordic region, with c.25% of revenues 2019 proforma[1] coming from the Nordic region, after previously acquiring Oslo Børs VPS and Nord Pool
• The transaction will double Euronext’s central securities depository business in size, further improving Euronext’s revenue mix and marking an important milestone towards Euronext’s strategic goal of building the leading European market infrastructure

World Alliance Of International Financial Centers: How Global Financial Centers Can Help Combat The COVID-19 Pandemic

Date 23/04/2020

Rarely has the world faced challenges such as today’s. Whatever comparison is drawn, COVID-19 and efforts to curb its spread are poised to inflict strain of historic proportions on the world’s economy and financial systems. Within just weeks, economic growth has ground to a halt and gone into reverse. The virus knows no borders, nor can economic actions be seen in splendid isolation. Wouldn’t it have been helpful had the world been prepared for such a crisis on this global scale? As this was not the case, responses have been uncoordinated, country-specific, and isolated as can be. Our economies could soon require as much intensive care as the worst affected patients. Where should we look for the right economic medicine under these new and unprecedented circumstances?

With UAE Securities And Commodities Authority’s Support And Approval, DFM Launches The First Of Its Kind ESG Index - Aiming To Strengthen UAE Markets’ Competitiveness And Attract Investments

Date 23/04/2020

• The new index consists of 20 companies and aims to encourage listed companies in the UAE to expand embracing ESG best practices 
• H.E. Sultan Almansoori: “the index promotes culture of governance and enhances investors’ confidence in the UAE capital market” 
• Dr. Obaid Al Zaabi: “the index will raise awareness about the importance of implementing principles outlined in the new governance guide for public joint-stock companies” 
• H.E. Essa Kazim commented, “significant initiative in line with international institutions’ mounting inclination to factor ESG into their investment decisions” 
• Dr. Ahmad Bin Al Shaikh: “there is no better time to encourage responsible behaviors than now, the new ESG index will create good competition between listed companies to do the right thing” 
• Reid Steadman: “We look forward to working with our partners and clients in the Middle East and globally to bring ESG into the core of investors’ portfolios”  

Nasdaq, Inc. Announces Proposed Senior Notes Offering

Date 23/04/2020

Nasdaq, Inc. (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: NDAQ) today announced that it plans to offer, subject to market and other conditions, senior notes (the “Offering”). The Company expects to use the net proceeds from the Offering to repay short term indebtedness.

U.S. Digital Investment Management Market Monitor, Q2 2020 - The Latest Aite Group Research Finds The U.S. D2C Digital Investment Management Space Grew 16% In 2019, Reaching US$298 Billion In AUM

Date 23/04/2020

With digital investment management startups venturing into banking, large financial institutions entering the marketplace, and many solutions undergoing overhauls in 2019, the maturation of the direct-to-consumer digital investment management space is evident. Though still small as a relative portion of the overall U.S. wealth management industry, the digital investment management space is now seen as an integral component for many traditional firms, increasingly essential as commission revenue continues to decline and COVID-19-related brick-and-mortar building closures usher in a new era of digital engagement. U.S. Digital Investment Management Market Monitor, Q2 2020 is the third in a biannual Aite Group report series on the digital investment space, and offers market-sizing estimates and forecasts.

Monetary Policy And The Bank Of England’s Balance Sheet - Speech By Gertjan Vlieghe - Given During An Online Webinar

Date 23/04/2020

Gertjan Vlieghe explains how we use our balance sheet as a monetary policy tool to hit the 2% inflation target and support the UK economy. These actions also affect government financing, but we maintain our independence.

HKEX: Stock Exchange Participants' Market Share Report

Date 23/04/2020

Stock Exchange Participants' Market Share Report