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Emirates NBD’s 2024 Net Profit Rises 7% To $6.3 Billion

Emirates NBD has reported a 7% year-on-year increase in its net profit for 2024, reaching $6.3 billion (AED 23 billion). The rise was driven by strong income growth, robust loan performance, and a strategic focus on digital banking and revenue diversification.

Key Highlights

  • Total Income: Emirates NBD’s total income for 2024 rose by 3% year-on-year, reaching $12 billion (AED 44.1 billion), underpinned by a 10% growth in loans and a stable, low-cost funding mix.
  • Loan Growth: The bank issued $43.6 billion (AED 160 billion) in new loans, leading to a 16% year-on-year increase in its assets.
  • Corporate Loans: The lender provided $23.9 billion (AED 88 billion) in new corporate loans, leveraging its optimized regional network. Retail lending also surged by 30%, driven by growth in its Priority and Private banking segments.
  • Operating Expenses: Operating expenses rose 18% year-on-year, totaling $3.8 billion (AED 13.8 billion).
  • Earnings Per Share (EPS): EPS grew by 7%, reaching 356 fils in 2024.

Strong Performance Across Business Units

Emirates Islamic, the bank’s Sharia-compliant arm, achieved a record profit of $762.3 million (AED 2.8 billion). Deposit growth was also notable, with an increase of $22.3 billion (AED 82 billion) in 2024, including a $13.1 billion (AED 48 billion) rise in current and savings accounts. The bank’s international expansion, particularly in Saudi Arabia, contributed to a 57% increase in its loan book, with 21 branches and 62 ATMs.

Digital Transformation

  • 98% of new current accounts were opened via digital channels, with 40% through the mobile app and 58% via assisted tablets.
  • The bank also saw a ninefold increase in digital wealth transaction volumes in 2024.

Other Noteworthy Achievements

Emirates NBD maintained a one-third market share of UAE credit card spend, with card spending up 18% in 2024.

The bank ranked number one in UAE IPOs and successfully priced over 100 sukuk and bond issues through Emirates NBD Capital.

Ranked sixth on Forbes Middle East’s lists of the 30 Most Valuable Banks 2024 and the Top 100 Listed Companies 2024, Emirates NBD continues to solidify its position as a leading financial institution in the region. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman, emphasized the bank’s strategy for growth: “Our international expansion story is one of growth, diversification, and resilience, leveraging our unique proposition to expand our footprint across the MENA region and beyond.”

With a total of $44 billion (AED 160 billion) in assets under management as of January 29, 2025, Emirates NBD is well-positioned to maintain its leadership in both the domestic and international markets.

Shein Targets $25 Billion Valuation In Hong Kong IPO As Growth Slows

Shein is reportedly targeting a valuation of around $25 billion in its planned Hong Kong IPO, a sharp decline from the nearly $100 billion valuation the online fashion retailer achieved in a 2022 fundraising round.

Two people familiar with the plans said the company was likely to target about $25 billion, while another source put the expected range at $25 billion to $28 billion based on the proposed price band.

IPO Valuation Falls Sharply

Shein plans to sell up to 8% of its shares in the offering, according to a person familiar with the plans. At a $25 billion valuation, that would translate into an IPO of as much as $2 billion.

The latest target is also below the $30 billion to $40 billion valuation the company was seeking earlier this month as it began meeting with potential investors.

Founded in China in 2012 and now headquartered in Singapore, Shein sells low-cost clothing to consumers in about 160 countries. The company is expected to launch its long-awaited Hong Kong IPO later this week.

Trade Restrictions Weigh On Growth

Shein’s valuation has come under pressure as major markets tighten rules affecting low-cost e-commerce shipments. The European Union, for example, has moved to impose additional fees on cheap parcels from platforms such as Shein and Temu. EU Tightens Rules On Low-Cost E-Commerce Parcels

In the U.S., the removal of an import duty exemption for small packages has also affected the company. Shein reported a $99 million quarterly loss in the first quarter of 2026 as sales growth slowed, while a one-time accounting charge further weighed on its results. Shein Reports First-Quarter Loss Ahead Of IPO

Investors Question Shein’s Growth Prospects

The steep reduction in valuation reflects growing concerns over slower growth, higher trade costs, regulatory pressure and stronger competition across global e-commerce.

Some investors who reviewed Shein’s recent financial statements or attended IPO presentations told Reuters they were skeptical that the company could return to the growth rates that supported its $98.2 billion valuation in 2022. Shein’s Slowing Growth Tests Investor Appetite

A lower IPO valuation could also affect Shein’s existing investors. Under the terms of its IPO filing, the company may have to issue additional shares to certain pre-IPO investors if its valuation falls below agreed thresholds.

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