The Dubai Financial Market will begin trading Oman crude oil futures next month as the bourse continues to diversify its product offerings and attract new investors.
The trading of Oman crude oil contracts, a benchmark that is used by many Gulf producers to price their oil, will begin on June 1, the DFM said in a statement on Thursday.
“The micro Oman crude oil contract will represent a significant addition to DFM's growing futures market. It enables investors’ seamless access to gain on the increase or decrease of oil prices as well as to diversify their portfolios and access leverage to maximise portfolio size and potential returns,” the DFM said.
"The contracts will be cash-settled and will have a smaller contract size of 100 barrels making them accessible to a large number of investors."
The move by the Dubai bourse comes as the emirate seeks to boost its stock market and attract more listings in an effort to tap into a growing appetite for initial public offerings in the region.
Last year, Dubai revealed plans to list 10 state-owned companies as part of its strategy to increase the size of its capital market and attract foreign investment.
Currently dominated by financial services and real estate companies, the government aims to further diversify the sectors on the DFM. Dubai approved a market maker fund worth Dh2 billion ($544 million) last year to encourage listings from sectors including energy, logistics and retail.
In April, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority became the first public entity to list on the DFM, raising Dh22.41bn in an oversubscribed share sale.
The Oman crude oil contracts will be supported by three market makers xCube, Al Ramz Capital and BHM Capital, and will be offered by several DFM trading members, including International Securities, BHM Capital Financial Services, Al Ramz Capital, Mena Corp Financial Services, Al Dar Shares and Bonds, SICO Financial Brokerage, EFG Hermes (UAE) and Arqaam Securities, according to the statement.
The initiative, launched in collaboration with Dubai Mercantile Exchange, "underscores the DFM's efforts to implement its growth strategy that focuses on diversifying investment opportunities and financial products, in line with the growing demand from its diversified investor base of more than 900,000 investors”, the bourse said.
The Middle Eastern countries are playing a significant role in the pricing and trading of oil.
Adnoc and a number of its trading and upstream partners unveiled crude futures based on the UAE's premium Murban crude grade.
The futures contracts began trading on the new ICE Futures Abu Dhabi exchange at the Abu Dhabi Global Market last year.
The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
Company Profile
Name: JustClean
Based: Kuwait with offices in other GCC countries
Launch year: 2016
Number of employees: 130
Sector: online laundry service
Funding: $12.9m from Kuwait-based Faith Capital Holding
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
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- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Sanju
Produced: Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Paresh Rawal, Anushka Sharma, Manish’s Koirala, Dia Mirza, Sonam Kapoor, Jim Sarbh, Boman Irani
Rating: 3.5 stars
Story of 2017-18 so far and schedule to come
Roll of Honour
Who has won what so far in the West Asia rugby season?
Western Clubs Champions League
Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners up: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons
West Asia Premiership
Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons
Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership Cup
Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners up: Dubai Exiles
Fixtures
Friday
West Asia Cup final
5pm, Bahrain (6pm UAE time), Bahrain v Dubai Exiles
West Asia Trophy final
3pm, The Sevens, Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Sports City Eagles
Friday, April 13
UAE Premiership final
5pm, Al Ain, Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
The biog
Favourite food: Fish and seafood
Favourite hobby: Socialising with friends
Favourite quote: You only get out what you put in!
Favourite country to visit: Italy
Favourite film: Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
Family: We all have one!
Fixtures
Sunday, December 8, Sharjah Cricket Stadium – UAE v USA
Monday, December 9, Sharjah Cricket Stadium – USA v Scotland
Wednesday, December 11, Sharjah Cricket Stadium – UAE v Scotland
Thursday, December 12, ICC Academy, Dubai – UAE v USA
Saturday, December 14, ICC Academy, Dubai – USA v Scotland
Sunday, December 15, ICC Academy, Dubai – UAE v Scotland
Note: All matches start at 10am, admission is free
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Director: Jean-Stephane Sauvaire
Starring: Joe Cole, Somluck Kamsing, Panya Yimmumphai
Three stars
THE%20SPECS
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The specs
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Transmission: CVT auto
Power: 181bhp
Torque: 244Nm
Price: Dh122,900
The Details
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Produced by: Cinestaan Studios, T-Series
Directed by: Sandeep Reddy Vanga
Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Pahwa
Rating: 2.5/5
Barbie
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The specs: 2018 Peugeot 5008
Price, base / as tested: Dh99,900 / Dh134,900
Engine: 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power: 165hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 240Nm @ 1,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.8L / 100km