Revenue increased by 134% year on year, to QAR 299 million (US$82.1 million)

Net Profit reached QAR 88 million (US$24.2 million)

Initiated dividend of 2% per share on par value

Doha, 23 February 2015: QInvest, Qatar's leading investment bank and one of the most prominent Islamic financial institutions globally, today unveiled significant revenue and profit growth in its audited full year 2014 results. The Bank reported strong top-line and bottom-line growth, ending the 12 month period with revenues up 134%, year-on-year, to US$82.1 million and net profit increasing by more than US$21 million, year-on-year, to US$24.2 million. Growth was achieved consistently throughout 2014; when revenues are compared with the same period the year before they were up 70% in Q1, 152% in Q2, 137% in Q3 and 122% in Q4.

Following QInvest's AGM, which was held on 22 February 2015, the Board and Shareholders have approved a dividend for 2014 of 2% per share on par value.

H.E. Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jaber Al Thani, Chairman of QInvest, said: 

"2014 was a year of very strong performance for QInvest and I am pleased to report we are delivering on our promise of driving consistent growth and profitability. Despite the first half of the year being characterised by subdued markets followed by a period of heightened volatility in Q3 and Q4, all of our three revenue-generating business lines continued to grow. We advised on a significant number of high-profile transactions around the world, reinforcing the QInvest brand in the region and further afield. I am very pleased to see the Bank report a significant increase in revenue and profit, and the distribution of a dividend of 2% per share on par value."

Tamim Hamad Al-Kawari, Chief Executive Officer of QInvest, said:

"Over the course of the year, we strengthened our platform, launched a number of successful strategic and product initiatives and advised on numerous transactions. Crucially, all of this was achieved while strengthening and expanding relationships with existing clients. Looking to 2015, while we expect equity and commodity markets to stabilise as we move through the year, there is still much uncertainty. As such, we will remain prudent and focused on executing our healthy pipeline of deal flow, taking advantage of our unique market positioning to leverage opportunities and deliver value for all our clients and shareholders."

Investment Banking

The debt capital markets business continued to generate significant global mandates. The team completed Sukuk transactions with an aggregate value of US$3.5 billion including transactions for Goldman Sachs, the governments of Hong Kong and Luxembourg, Kuveyt Turk, Dar El Arkan, Turkiye Finans and Al Baraka Turk. So far in 2015, QInvest has won mandates for Sukuk offerings around the world.

In 2014 QInvest closed over US$200 million of structured finance transactions, successfully syndicating to top tier Islamic financial institutions. These included a number of industry firsts in terms of structure complexity and financial innovation. QInvest also successfully recycled US$217 million of balance sheet assets, indicating strong regional and international demand for our financing book, which continues to grow within the firm's risk-return profile, providing stable recurring income as well as immediate returns for the firm.

Meanwhile, QInvest's M&A franchise executed transactions with a total value of c.US$3.1 billion and the team is currently working on transactions across a range of sectors.

Principal Investments

The Principle Investments team maintained its focus on investments that provide short term profitability and long term value creation within a manageable risk framework. The Real Estate team continues to see significant interest from shareholders and clients for real estate investments and, in 2014, invested capital into a portfolio of retail assets in France and Spain, with France providing stable yields whilst Spain offers capital and rental growth. Meanwhile, the team exited two real estate investments in 2014 and is looking to redeploy that capital into opportunities which are aligned with the firms overall risk-return profile.

Elsewhere, QInvest is continuing to deploy capital in the Sukuk market, capitalising on opportunities arising from the global and regional macroeconomic conditions. The unit is also actively managing its private equity portfolio with the dual objective of optimising returns and reducing balance sheet risk exposure. In 2014, QInvest exited its investment in FIITJEE, VLCC and a significant proportion of SUEZ Environment.

Asset Management

2014 was a robust year for the Asset Management business, with the unit able to capitalise on the processes, infrastructure and resources which were put in place over the last two years. The QMAP capability was expanded into fixed income through the addition of a new in-house managed Sukuk fund. Additionally, the team launched and rolled out "Shiraa Funds," offering clients a strong risk adjusted return. Both QMAP products and Shiraa Funds have been added to the Allfunds Bank platform, which has more than €147 billion (US$187 billion) in assets under administration.

QInvest also completed the acquisition of the former Qatar Islamic Bank United Kingdom (QIB UK) Asset Management unit. This acquisition includes the highly successful Luxembourg domiciled EFH fund series, including the EFH Global Sukuk Plus Fund and the EFH Islamic Financial Institutions Fund, and customised Sukuk and income portfolios.

The Qatar portfolio delivered a full year return of 29%, which significantly outperformed both the market and its peers. The division will be launching fund versions of our existing Qatar equity and GCC equity discretionary portfolios in 2015; in addition to a European fund and other funds.

Awards

QInvest was recognised by a number of international bodies for its achievements in 2014. These include:

"Best Investment Bank in Qatar" at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence

"Best Local Investment Bank, 2014" by EMEA Finance

"Most Respected Islamic Fund Manager in Qatar, 20014" by Acquisition International Magazine

"Best Islamic Real Estate Finance Provider, 2014" by Global Finance Magazine

"Best Sukuk Structuring House in the Middle East" at the London Sukuk Summit

"Best Sukuk House, Qatar", "Best Islamic Asset Management House in Qatar" and "Best Deal in Qatar" at The Asset Triple A Awards

-Ends-

For enquiries:
Bassel Hanbali - Head of Marketing, Corporate Communications & Investor Relations
QInvest
Tel: +97466542099
Email: bassel.hanbali@qinvest.com  

About QInvest
QInvest is Qatar's leading investment bank with operations across the Middle East, Africa and Europe, and one of the most prominent Islamic financial institutions in the world. QInvest has built world class investment and advisory capabilities, with the highest standards of governance and transparency underpinning its client-focused approach. The firm's priority is to deliver high-value propositions, considered solutions and tangible results for its clients and shareholders.

The firm has offices in Doha, Riyadh and Istanbul, as well as affiliates in India and the UK. Its team of investment professionals is the largest in the MENA region and provides a blend of broad international experience, deep regional knowledge and unparalleled relationships in Qatar. This reach and range of skills uniquely position the firm to facilitate the flow of business between Qatar, the region and global markets, making it a key institution in Qatar's international investment plans.

QInvest's three business divisions are Asset Management, Investment Banking and Principal Investments. It has unrivalled expertise in structuring Islamic products and provides clients with sharia'a compliant solutions quickly and competitively.

QInvest was licensed by the Qatar Financial Centre Authority in April 2007 and is authorised by the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority. QInvest's shareholders include Qatar Islamic Bank, other institutional investors, as well as high-net-worth individuals. The firm has authorized capital of US$ 1 billion and paid up capital of US$ 750 million.

For further information, please visit www.qinvest.com

© Press Release 2015