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Qatar Insurance reported a net profit of QR217mn in Q1 2026, up 6% year-on-year (y-o-y) from QR205mn, according to Qatar Insurance Group chairman Sheikh Hamad bin Faisal bin Thani Jasim al-Thani.Sheikh Hamad told the board of directors’ meeting that net profit attributable to shareholders of the parent amounted to QR205mn. Earnings per share for the period stood at QR0.030.The company’s well-diversified investment portfolio again proved its merits and resilience in Q1 2026. In an exceptionally volatile market environment, Qatar Insurance’s high-quality book generated solid investment income of QR238mn in Q1 2026, compared to QR216mn in the same period last year.Return on Investment for Q1 2026 came in at 5.3%, compared to 4.9% in Q1 2025. The book, which is mainly composed of a stable and conservative combination of bonds, cash, equities, and real estate, amounted to assets under management of QR18bn in Q1 2026, up from QR17.7bn in Q1 2025.Gross Written Premiums (GWP) totalled QR3.2bn, up by 13% y-o-y, while Insurance Service Result stood at QR130mn in Q1 2026, reflecting a significant 70% y-o-y increase.Despite the ongoing challenges, overall in Q1 2026, Qatar Insurance generated 56% of its GWPs in its domestic and MENA operations, with 44% stemming from its international business.Sheikh Hamad said the company’s Q1 2026 financial results confirm its resilience and strategic direction.“In a turbulent first quarter marked by the conflict in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Qatar Insurance’s underwriting portfolio continued to generate consistent, stable, and reliable returns due to its robust diversification strategy of balancing our strong growth business generated in Qatar and the MENA region, with income from our international operations and investment portfolio, which once again provided a strong contribution to our results in highly volatile financial markets,” he said.Salem al-Mannai, Qatar Insurance Group CEO, said: “Despite this challenging first quarter, Qatar Insurance further expanded its products and services in Qatar, the MENA region with our presence in Dubai, Oman and Kuwait, and internationally through our Antares Lloyds Syndicate along with operations in Bermuda, Europe and Asia Pacific.“Whilst already benefiting from our regional spread, we further built our diversification and strengthened our resilience through a well-balanced product portfolio, generating attractive growth and returns with our personal non-life, life and medical book, and our commercial lines business in Qatar and the Mena region, and internationally in marine and other speciality lines through our reinsurance book.”He added: “We further strengthened our investments in technology, particularly during this period of uncertainty and disruption. Our pioneering role in insurtech and fintech, along with our award-winning app for motorists, has proven invaluable in maintaining seamless services for our customers.” 

Al Meera Consumer Goods Company (almeera) is eyeing expansion plans, which include adding more branches across Qatar, developing private labels, and expanding partnerships with local suppliers to provide high-quality products at competitive prices.This was announced during almeera’s Ordinary General Assembly, presided over by almeera chairman Essa Hilal al-Kuwari, where shareholders approved the board’s recommendation to distribute cash dividends of 40% of the nominal share value, equivalent to QR0.40 per share.Al-Kuwari said, “In 2025, almeera continued to achieve positive results that reflect the strength of its business model and its ability to sustain growth. We remain committed to developing our services and enhancing the shopping experience to meet the expectations of all customer segments.”He added: “We remain committed to supporting local products and enhancing quality standards and food safety, contributing to the national economy and strengthening food security, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.”In 2025, total consolidated sales reached QR2.91bn, marking a 3.6% year-on-year increase. Gross profit rose by 13.7% to QR566.8mn. Rental income from outlets reached QR79.9mn, while net profit amounted to QR143.2mn, resulting in earnings per share of QR0.69, reflecting a 16.5% growth. 

Medicare Group reported a QR76mn net profit by the end of 2025, with a 26.6% year-on-year (y-o-y) growth from QR60mn.In a meeting presided over Tuesday by chaired by Medicare Group chairman Sheikh Abdullah bin Thani bin Abdullah al-Thani, the board of directors recommended the distribution of 22% cash dividends or QR0.22 per share.It was announced to the Ordinary General Assembly that earnings per share amounted to QR0.270 per share, compared to QR0.213. This growth follows the full write-off of all losses related to the branch of Al Wakrah Clinics and Urgent Care Unit in 2024, which positively impacted the company’s performance during the financial year 2025.Sheikh Abdullah stated that this growth represents a notable achievement attributable to the efforts of the board of directors, the executive management, and all employees.Medicare Group CEO Khalid al-Emadi stated that in 2026 the company intends to continue implementing its strategic expansion and growth plans, targeting a broader segment of guests and introducing new services, including dialysis. 

Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) reported a net profit of QR4.83bn in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, registering a 5% year-on-year (y-o-y) increase from QR4.60bn.Basic earnings per share amounted to QR1.95 in 2025 compared to QR1.86 in 2024. The QIB board proposed an additional cash dividend of 50% of the paid-up share capital worth QR0.50 per share, taking the total cash dividend during the year to 90% of the paid-up share capital of QR0.90 per share, subject to the approval of the Qatar Central Bank (QCB) and the QIB General Assembly.The bank’s total assets during the same period stood at QR221.1bn, representing a y-o-y 10.1% growth compared to QR200.8bn. Financing and investing activities were the primary drivers for the asset growth.Financing activities reached QR138.5bn, a 10.5% jump compared to December 2024, while Investment Securities reached QR60.2bn as of December 31, 2025, higher by 13.7% against December 2024.Customer deposits stood at QR142.7bn in 2025, up by 14.2% against December 2024, with a financing to deposit ratio of 90% during the same period last year, compared to the QCB requirement of a maximum 100%, reflecting the bank’s strong liquidity position.The total income for the year ended December 31, 2025, reached QR11.4bn. Net income from financing and investing activities was QR10.3bn. Net fee and commission income reached QR904mn, reflecting the bank’s healthy core operating and banking services activities.The total general and administrative expenses of the bank were reduced to QR1.08bn in 2025, 6% lower than the previous year, primarily from the impact of the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. Strict cost management measures helped the bank in lowering the cost-to-income ratio to 16.3%, which is the lowest in the Qatari banking sector.QIB was able to bring down the ratio of non-performing financing assets to total financing assets to 1.65% in 2025 from 1.86% at the end of the previous year and continues to be one of the lowest in the industry, reflecting the quality of the bank’s financing assets portfolio and its effective risk management framework.The bank continues to pursue the conservative impairment policy by building precautionary impairment charge for financing assets, other assets and other provisions and maintains a healthy coverage ratio for non-performing financing assets to 95% as of December 31, 2025.Total shareholders’ equity of the bank reached QR29.6bn, an increase of 9.1% compared to QR27.2bn as of December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2025, the total capital adequacy of the bank under Basel III guidelines is 22.2%, well above the regulatory minimum requirements prescribed by the QCB and Basel Committee.QIB chairman Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani said: “Our continued investments in technology and digital capabilities have enabled us to maintain our leadership in digital banking, enhance customer experiences, and operate with greater efficiency and agility. At the same time, our customer-centric approach remains at the core of everything we do—guiding how we design products, deliver services, and build long-term relationships.“Throughout the year, we have also advanced the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles across our operations, ensuring responsible growth that aligns with national priorities and global best practices.” 

Kuwait Bourse closed trading on Sunday as the All Share Index gained 68.20 points to reach 8,784.83 points, an increase of 0.78 percent. As many as 514.3 million shares valued at KWD 104.6 million (roughly USD 319 million) were traded via 24,040 transactions.The Main Market Index went up by 66.27 points to reach 8,002.73 points, up by 0.84 percent, through 316.9 million shares done via 15,462 transactions valued at KWD 46.19 million (roughly USD 140.8 million).The Premier Market Index gained 72.05 points to reach 9,413.99 points, up by 0.77 percent, through 197.3 million shares done via 8,578 transactions valued at KWD 58.4 million (roughly USD 178.12 million).Meanwhile, the bourse Main 50 Index went up by 80.86 points to reach 8,251.41 points, up by 0.99 percent, through stock volume of 250 million shares done in 10,531 deals at a value of KWD 38.5 million (roughly USD 117.4 million).

Kuwait Bourse closed trading on Tuesday as the All Share Index gained 72.42 points to reach 8,712.18 points, an increase of 0.84 percent.As many as 455 million shares valued at KWD 116.9 million (roughly USD 356.5 million) were traded via 27,306 transactions.The Main Market Index went up by 40.42 points to reach 7,881.67 points, up by 0.52 percent, through 223.18 million shares done via 14,110 transactions valued at KWD 39.9 million (roughly USD 121.6 million).The Premier Market Index gained 83.99 points to reach 9,349.85 points, up by 0.91 percent, through 231.9 million shares done via 13,196 transactions valued at KWD 77 million (roughly USD 234.8 million).Meanwhile, the bourse Main 50 Index went up by 71.06 points to reach 8,076.77 points, up by 0.89 percent, through stock volume of 177 million shares done in 8,905 deals at a value of KWD 31.9 million (roughly USD 97.2 million).

Eight Opec+ countries to meet on SundayOpec+ could also pause hikes for October, source saysNo immediate comment received from Opec or Saudi authoritiesEight Opec+ members will consider further raising oil production at a meeting on Sunday, two sources familiar with the discussions said, as the group seeks to regain market share.Opec+ has reversed its strategy of output cuts from April and has already raised quotas by about 2.5mn barrels per day, about 2.4% of world demand, to boost market share and under pressure from US President Donald Trump to lower oil prices.But those increases have failed to bring down oil prices, which traded near $68 a barrel supported by Western sanctions on Russia and Iran, encouraging further production gains in rivals such as the US.Another output boost would mean Opec+, which pumps about half of the world's oil, would be starting to unwind a second layer of cuts of about 1.65mn barrels per day, or 1.6% of world demand, more than a year ahead of schedule.Eight Opec+ countries are due to hold an online meeting on Sunday expected to decide on October output.Opec+ includes the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries plus Russia and other allies.There is also a chance, some analysts and an Opec+ source said, that Opec+ could pause the increases for October. A final decision has not been made, the Opec+ source said.Opec headquarters and authorities in Saudi Arabia did not immediately respond to requests for comment.Brent crude was trading near $68 on Wednesday, down over 1% on the day but up from a 2025 low of near $58 in April.As well as sanctions, the Opec+ hikes falling short of the pledged amounts have also supported prices, analysts have said.Until April, Opec+ had been curtailing production for several years to support oil prices.At their last meeting in August, the eight members raised production by 547,000 bpd for September, completing a total increase in output for the year of 2.5mn bpd. That included a 300,000 bpd additional production allocation for the UAE.The next output cut layer of 1.65mn bpd is in place until the end of 2026, as is another 2mn bpd of cuts by the whole group.