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Prosus NV has raised its holding in Urban Company Ltd to 7.35 per cent, after acquiring roughly an additional 4 percentage points by investing about $139 million, ahead of the home services startup’s Initial Public Offering. This move positions Prosus as one of Urban Company’s largest shareholders and signals strong institutional faith in the firm’s prospects.

Urban Company’s IPO drew overwhelming demand — it was subscribed over 103 times — and its shares listed at a premium of about 57.5 per cent over the issue price on the National Stock Exchange, opening at ₹162.25 versus the ₹103 issue price. The listing surged the company’s market valuation to nearly $2.8 billion.

According to Ashutosh Sharma, head of Prosus India Ecosystem, the firm increased its stake during the IPO allotment. Prosus first backed Urban Company in 2021; this latest acquisition underscores its continued appetite for stakes in Indian startups with domestic consumer and service-led business models.

Urban Company, founded in 2014 by Abhiraj Singh Bhal, Varun Khaitan, and Raghav Chandra, operates across home services such as beauty, cleaning, appliance repair and plumbing. It has expanded into over 50 cities in India and also operates in international markets including UAE and Singapore. The company reported strong financial performance in its fiscal year ending 2025, with revenue growth of around 36 per cent year-on-year and its first net profit of approximately ₹239–₹240 crore.

Investor enthusiasm was evident in the IPO process. Qualified Institutional Buyers led the subscription with particularly strong bids. The grey market premium, which reflects expectations ahead of listing, had risen to over 50 per cent above the issue price, signalling investor confidence in an upward listing trajectory.

Prosus’s move comes amid a broader trend of institutional investors increasing their exposure to Indian startups ahead of IPOs, particularly those in consumer-facing, service-oriented sectors. Earlier urban and tech-led listings have attracted robust demand, and IPOs that show solid unit economics—strong margins, revenue growth, steps toward profit—are being favoured by capital.

Urban Company’s stock market debut saw a steep rise: the shares not only opened with a 57.5 per cent premium on NSE, but trading surged further, reflecting both investor optimism and perceived underpricing in its IPO offer.

Prosus, headquartered in the Netherlands and known for its early stake in Tencent Holdings, has invested over $8-9 billion in the Indian startup ecosystem. It has backed firms such as Swiggy, Meesho, and PayU. Its amplified investment in Urban Company exemplifies a strategy of anchoring bets on firms that combine growth potential with improving financial metrics.

Hesai Group’s shares surged in their Hong Kong debut, trading above its IPO price after the lidar‐sensor maker raised approximately HK$4.16 billion in its secondary listing.

Trading under code 2525, the stock opened at HK$229.20, about 7.7 per cent above the offer price of HK$212.80. Demand was strong: the international tranche was oversubscribed around 14 times, while the Hong Kong public tranche drew nearly 168.65 times subscription. Six cornerstone investors including HHLR Advisors, Taikang Life, and WT Asset Management committed some US$148 million worth of shares, agreeing to hold them for at least six months.

Hesai’s second quarter performance helped set the stage. Its revenue rose by 54 per cent year-on-year, shipments more than tripled, and the company reported a net profit of roughly RMB 44.1 million, reversing a loss from the year before. These results support its strategy to scale lidar sensor shipments, especially for advanced driver-assistance systems and autonomous driving applications.

A key driver is Hesai’s plan to cut manufacturing costs and selling prices. CEO David Li stated that the company is working to reduce the cost of its sensors dramatically, targeting a price of about US$200 per unit from previous models that sold for tens of thousands of dollars. To assist this, production expansion is underway, and Hesai is also pursuing international customers and counterparties in the autonomous vehicle and robotics sectors.

Geopolitical and regulatory pressures are also shaping Hesai’s approach. The dual listing in Hong Kong while retaining its U. S. listing on Nasdaq reflects efforts to strengthen capital access amid U. S.-China tensions. Hesai had earlier denied accusations of misleading investors over revenue and alleged military links; the company stated its operations are independent and compliant with regulations.

Binghatti Holding Ltd, a Dubai-based developer, has initiated steps toward an initial public offering in the United Arab Emirates, as it looks to harness momentum from a strong real estate market climb. The company is in discussions with banks to assist in going public, according to persons with knowledge of the matter who spoke under condition of anonymity. A spokesperson declined to comment, calling the IPO talk “market rumour and speculation.”

Earnings performance is underpinning the move. For the first half of 2025, Binghatti reported a net profit of AED 1.82 billion, up 172 percent year-on-year. Total sales rose 60 percent to AED 8.8 billion, while revenue jumped about 189 percent to AED 6.3 billion. These figures reflect strong demand for its residential offerings.

Non-resident buyers are accounting for a growing share of Binghatti’s business, with about 61 percent of sales in H1 2025 coming from outside the UAE. That shift underscores Dubai’s continued appeal to international investors.

This potential IPO follows recent capital market activity by Binghatti. It issued a USD 500 million Sukuk under its USD 1.5 billion Trust Certificate Issuance Programme; the offering was oversubscribed by five times, with orders exceeding USD 2.5 billion from regional and global investors.

In June, Binghatti launched an asset management arm, Binghatti Capital, based in Dubai International Financial Centre and regulated by the DFSA. The new entity is targeting roughly USD 1 billion in assets under management, focused on Sharia-compliant real estate investment and private credit strategies.

Several analysts view the IPO bid as a strategic move to broaden funding sources beyond debt and sukuk, enable more institutional investment in the company, and leverage its rising profile. Real estate analysts note that the surge in demand—both domestic and foreign—is creating a favourable window for property players to tap equity markets. Oversupply concerns persist in some segments of Dubai’s housing market, but differentiated developers like Binghatti, known for branded luxury residences and fast construction delivery, appear well positioned.

Singapore is gearing up to reveal a comprehensive “value unlock” package by the end of the year aimed at reviving the nation’s stock market, regulators said. Key initiatives will likely build on the Equity Market Development Programme, stronger listing incentives, streamlined regulations and enhanced shareholder rights, intended to improve liquidity, listings and investor confidence.

The EQDP, a S$5 billion programme announced earlier in the year, will see its first tranche of S$1.1 billion allocated to three asset managers—Avanda Investment Management, JP Morgan Asset Management and Fullerton Fund Management—to invest in Singapore-listed equities. These selections were made partly based on alignment with objectives to broaden participation beyond large-cap stocks and strengthen asset-management capabilities.

Alongside co-investment funding, tax incentives are being offered for primary and secondary listings. A 20 per cent corporate income tax rebate applies for qualifying new primary listings, and a 10 per cent rebate for secondary ones. There is also pressure to ease regulatory requirements around prospectus disclosures, shorten IPO-approval timelines, and allow earlier investor outreach in IPOs.

Regulatory reforms under consideration include reducing the profit requirement for Mainboard listings, aligning secondary listing rules with international disclosure standards, and possibly removing the financial watch-list mechanism for loss-making firms while increasing the role of disclosure over prescriptive reporting.

Market analysts welcome the measures but caution that they may not address deeper structural weaknesses. Singapore’s exchange has seen more delistings than IPOs in many months, a low number of growth-stage listings, a prevalence of companies with weak profitability, and low free floats among many issued shares. These factors have limited trading depth and made it harder for mid-caps to attract institutional investors.

Insolvency reform is also part of the picture. Proposed changes to Singapore’s Companies Act would broaden the so-called cross-class “cram-down” powers, letting restructuring plans be imposed even over dissenting shareholders in certain cases. The proposals include streamlining processes for issuing new shares or disposing of assets during restructuring, and revising compensation frameworks for restructuring managers.

Regulatory agencies such as the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Singapore Exchange Regulation, and the Equities Market Review Group are all involved in shaping the yet-to-be-announced package. Public consultations on many proposals have taken place or are underway, especially around IPO rules, listing thresholds, and listing admission criteria.

Infosys Ltd cleared a share buyback plan worth ₹18,000 crore, its biggest to date, offering ₹1,800 per share under a tender‐route offer. The price represents a 19% premium over closing levels on the BSE and NSE.

The company intends to repurchase roughly 10 crore shares, amounting to about 2.41% of its equity. Approval came through a board resolution disclosed in regulatory filings.

Infosys’s share price had been under pressure, falling more than 1% on the day prior. The buyback announcement triggered mixed reactions: U. S.‐listed ADS shares edged up marginally, while shares in Mumbai closed lower, reflecting investor caution.

Company financials show free cash flow at ₹7,533 crore for the quarter ending 30 June, down about 17.7% year-on-year, though still exceeding net profit by a small margin. The firm held cash and investments totalling ₹45,204 crore at that date.

Analysts view the buyback as a signal of confidence in long-term cash flows, but also warn that slowing revenue growth in some verticals could weigh on future performance. The move follows pressure from investors for IT companies to not just return capital but also step up investments in cloud, AI, and product development.

Gold in Dubai opened trading on Tuesday with the 22K grade touching Dh408 per gram, setting a fresh all-time high and elevating investor and shopper concerns alike. The 24K variety climbed to Dh440.5, while 21K inched ever closer to the key Dh400 level, trading at Dh391.0 per gram.

Global and regional market dynamics are fueling this surge. The international spot price of gold has consistently pushed new heights, recently nearing $3,600 per ounce, with August seeing an approximate 31 per cent year-to-date gain. In part, this reflects growing expectations of US Federal Reserve rate cuts, which traditionally support gold’s safe-haven appeal.

Experts caution that the Dh408 per gram summit for 22K gold may not mark a plateau. Elevated global demand, festival-season jewellery purchases, and sustained investor appetite are converging. Yet there is also speculation about a pullback. Some analysts interpret current levels as ripe for partial profit-taking, while others expect continued momentum if support holds.

The 상승 in gold prices is reshaping shopper sentiment. With Dubai gold surges; 22K at Dh408 now firmly established, affordability becomes a pressing issue for consumers, particularly those buying for weddings, gifts, or as long-term stores of value. Jewellery retailers, in turn, are adapting by promoting lighter ornament designs and gold savings schemes to manage demand amid elevated prices.

Buyers may face a strategic dilemma: delay purchases in hopes of a correction, or lock in gold at historically high prices before potential further rises. The combination of geopolitical tensions, inflationary pressures, and currency fluctuations continues to bolster gold’s attractiveness.

As the UAE moves deeper into its peak gold-buying season, Dubai gold surges; 22K at Dh408 encapsulates the shifting dynamics at play: strong upward trajectory, global economic tension, and consumer caution all intersecting in a market where every dirham counts.

Net profits for banks listed across the Gulf Cooperation Council surged to an unprecedented $16.6 billion in the second quarter, marking the second straight quarter of gains and a sequential increase of roughly 3.7 %, with year-on-year growth at a robust 9.2 %, according to Kamco Invest. This performance was driven by broadly higher revenues and a lower cost-to-income ratio that more than compensated for a rise in impairments. Lending activity remained resilient, underpinned by strong economic fundamentals and a pipeline of projects in the region.

Banks across the GCC achieved strong growth, with net profits rising 10.3 % year-on-year to $16.6 billion in Q2 2025, according to the latest Kamco Invest analysis. The sequential increase of about 3.7 % was fuelled by a broad-based rise in revenues, while a leaner cost-to-income ratio offset the impact of elevated impairments. Lending growth persisted, reflecting healthy demand and continued economic momentum.

Abu Dhabi led regional outperformers as its banks posted aggregate Q2 earnings of $3.2 billion—a 23.1 % rise compared to the year before. First Abu Dhabi Bank stood out with a 29.4 % surge in quarterly net profits to $1.5 billion, supported by stronger non-interest income and lower impairment charges. Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank also delivered solid gains, buoyed by elevated interest and fee income.

Dubai’s banks, by contrast, experienced a contraction: aggregate city-listed earnings fell by 6.4 % to $3.2 billion, weighed down by increased impairments at major lenders such as Emirates NBD. Some resilience came from Commercial Bank of Dubai, which posted a 15.4 % rise, alongside a surge in real-estate and utilities profits—Emaar Properties and DEWA among the top performers.

Among other GCC markets, Q2 net profits for Oman-listed banks were around $1 billion, while those in Qatar also posted gains, contributing to the overall strength in the banking sector.

The headline figure—$16.6 billion in quarterly profit for GCC banks—captures the scale of the region’s banking sector resilience. This strong performance highlights how GCC banks post record-high quarterly profits, powered by sustained credit growth and operational efficiencies even amid higher impairments.
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Abu Dhabi’s G42 is offering 2 % of its shareholding in its subsidiary, Presight AI, to institutional investors through an accelerated book-build, aiming to raise slightly more than $100 million. The transaction will reduce G42’s holding in the analytics group from 70.5 % to 68.5 %, while retaining majority control. First Abu Dhabi Bank and Jefferies are acting as joint global coordinators and joint bookrunners, with International Securities serving as joint bookrunner.

Demand for the placement has been strong, with books reportedly fully covered ahead of finalisation. Settlement is expected around 10 September 2025, following final terms being set by 4 September. G42 has also committed to a 180-day lock-up period before any further sale of its Presight shares.

The strategic purpose behind G42 lowers Presight AI stake via ABB is to broaden and institutionalise Presight’s investor base, enhance liquidity, and strengthen its case for inclusion in the FTSE Emerging Market Index. Greater free float and international institutional ownership would increase trading activity and appeal to passive investment funds.

Presight AI, which listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange in 2023, has posted strong financials through 2025. Its share price has risen by approximately 67 % year-to-date, closing recently at AED 3.47. In the first half of 2025, organic revenue grew by 33.5 %, supported by new domestic contracts. In the second quarter, group net profit rose by nearly 8 % to Dh77 million, with revenue up by over 53 % to Dh523.9 million. International markets now contribute 26.8 % of revenue, up from just 4.9 % a year earlier.

G42 group CFO Ricky Thirion described Presight as “a critical pillar of the G42 ecosystem and a cornerstone of our Intelligence Grid offering,” noting that its performance reflects consistent growth and strong leadership.

Regionally, secondary offerings like this one are gaining traction. In 2025, follow-on sales across the Middle East have raised roughly $3.7 billion, surpassing IPO proceeds—a sign of deepening market maturity.

The placement’s proceeds will go entirely to G42, with no dilution or impact on other shareholders or Presight’s operations.

Abu Dhabi’s G42 has therefore engineered a measured recalibration of its ownership in Presight AI—G42 lowers Presight AI stake via ABB—while securing capital, expanding its shareholder base, and positioning the company for broader market inclusion and visibility.