Abu Dhabi stocks closed more than 2% lower to hit a three-month low on Friday after its largest lender by assets, First Abu Dhabi Bank, reported weaker than expected earnings.
The Abu Dhabi index slid 2.7%, its biggest intraday loss since mid may, dragged down by a 4.8% drop in First Abu Dhabi Bank.
On Thursday, the lender posted 2.5 billion dirhams ($680.66 million) net profit in the fourth-quarter, a 26% decline from last year that missed analyst estimates of 2.95 billion dirhams.
The lender also slashed its annual cash dividend by 26% to 52 fils a share from 2021.
Abu Dhabi leads fall in Gulf markets, Saudi stocks rise
Among other losers, state-controlled integrated utility firm Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (also known as TAQA) tumbled 8.2%, while investment firm Multiply Group plunged 6.7%.
The Abu Dhabi index continued its decline under the pressure of the lower performance of First Abu Dhabi Bank, said Daniel Takieddine, CEO MENA at BDSwiss.
According to Daniel, a modest performance in oil markets is also leaving equities without much support.
Dubai’s benchmark index settled 0.8% lower, weighed down by heavy losses in utilities and index heavyweight real estate stocks.
Shares of Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation declined 4.6%, its worst day since debut in the market, while blue-chip developer Emaar Properties lost 1.6%
================================ ABU DHABI down 2.7% to 9,661 DUBAI fell 0.8% to 3,329 ================================
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