Qatar Business

DOHA: Gulf International Services (GIS) convened its Annual General Assembly Meeting for the fiscal year 2025, yesterday. Delivering the opening speech, Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa Al-Thani Chairman of the Board of Directors Gulf International Services said, “The Board of Directors is pleased to recommend the distribution of cash dividends amounting to QR186m for the financial year ended 31 December 2025, equivalent to QR0.10 per share, taking into consideration the Group’s operational, investment, and financing requirements.” “The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone in the Company’s journey, during which we successfully expanded the scope of the Group’s operations and strengthened overall operational performance. This progress was reflected in revenue growth and improved earnings quality, achieved through the disciplined execution of our strategy, the effective capture of opportunities across our various business segments, and a continued focus on operational efficiency and financial discipline,” he added. Throughout 2025, the Drilling segment continued to serve as a key driver of the Group’s operations and a cornerstone of its growth. Gulf Drilling International completed a full year of operational performance following the acquisition of three offshore jack‑up drilling rigs in 2024 and their successful integration into the fleet. This integration, together with the renewal of long‑term contracts and the redeployment of rigs, supported revenue growth and strengthened earnings stability. In addition, the investment in two offshore well service lifting vessels, scheduled to commence operations in 2027 under a principal contract with a strategic partner, represents a significant step that supports future growth and reinforces the Company’s position as a leading provider of offshore drilling and well services in the region, as well as a trusted partner in supporting the State’s energy sector development objectives, he added. In the Aviation segment, Gulf Helicopters continued to deliver strong and stable operational performance, supported by growing demand for offshore aviation services, alongside the expansion of maintenance, repair, and overhaul activities, which have become an increasingly important contributor to revenues.

Qatar Business

DOHA: Qatar Aluminium Manufacturing Company (QAMCO) Chairman of the Board of Directors Abdulrahman Ahmad Al Shaibi highlighted that QAMCO’s joint venture is ranked among the most efficient and lowest cost aluminium smelters globally while addressing shareholders at the company’s Annual General Assembly meeting. Delivering the opening speech Al Shaibi said, “We reaffirm our firm commitment to preserving this competitive position, in support of our strategic objective of maximizing value for our shareholders, while adhering to the highest standards of operational and financial discipline, as well as sustainability requirements.” The global aluminium market experienced notable volatility during 2025, shaped by the interaction of short term challenges and long term structural shifts. The gap between supply and demand narrowed, supported by sustained long term demand growth from sectors linked to the energy transition, including electric vehicles, renewable energy, and sustainable infrastructure. Notwithstanding ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and the associated logistical challenges affecting global trade flows, the sector demonstrated a clear ability to adapt, supported by a gradual recovery in major economies and continued positive performance in emerging markets. In addition, slower production growth and declining inventory levels contributed to reducing excess supply, reinforcing the positive year on year price trend. Against this backdrop, QAMCO’s joint venture continued during 2025 to strengthen its commitment to operational excellence and cost optimization, while further enhancing sustainability and governance practices. This was achieved through improved operational efficiency, the adoption of advanced technological solutions, and strict adherence to environmental, social, and governance standards, he added. Al Shaibi said, with respect to capital expenditure, spending during 2025 amounted to approximately QR308m, the majority of which was allocated to maintenance activities and initiatives aimed at enhancing operational efficiency. Looking ahead, QAMCO’s share of expected capital initiatives for the period from 2026 to 2030 is estimated at approximately QR1.2bn, focused on strategic projects that will further enhance productivity and environmental efficiency. From a financial perspective, QAMCO delivered strong growth in net profit for 2025, with net earnings increasing by 25% to reach QR768m, while earnings per share amounted to QR0.138. The Board of Directors recommends the distribution of cash dividends for the second half of 2025 amounting to QR0.057 per share. Accordingly, total annual dividends reach QR0.10 per share, representing a payout ratio of 73% of the year’s net profit, he added.

Qatar Business

Doha: At the close of yesterday's session, the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) index posted a weekly decline of about 1.55 percent, ending February down 2.26 percent. However, the index remains up 2.72 percent since the beginning of the year. In remarks to QNA, Investment Manager at Qatar Securities Company, Ramzi Qasmieh stated that the benchmark index closed the final session of the week down roughly 1.91 percent at 11,055 points, coinciding with the implementation of the MSCI review results. This helped lift trading values during the session to more than QAR 1.18 billion, with shares of Barwa Real Estate Company accounting for around 37 percent of total turnover. Qasmieh noted that the index is currently facing several pressures, foremost among them escalating geopolitical tensions in the region, prompting investors to liquidate some profitable positions and engage in profit-taking amid uncertainty over developments. Trading in several blue-chip stocks without entitlement to cash dividends, including Qatar National Bank (QNB), Qatar Fuel (WOQOD) and Qatar Gas Transport Company (NAKILAT), also added to performance pressures. He added that the decline reflects a rebalancing phase following the announcement of earnings and dividend distributions, particularly after the index touched its February peak of 11,515 points, triggering profit-taking in several stocks. Movements by foreign portfolios during MSCI review implementation session also contributed to volatility. On sector performance, Qasmieh pointed out that six sectors closed in negative territory, led by real estate, which fell by about 3.84 percent, followed by consumer goods and services, which were down 2 percent. In contrast, the insurance sector was the only one to end the week higher, gaining more than 3 percent. He concluded by noting that the insurance sector index continued to post gains in February, rising around 9 percent for the month, while the transport sector index recorded a 5.7 percent increase over the same period.