Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, ADX, announced today that Al Ramz Capital has executed the first Covered Short Selling, CSS, using the Stock Lending and Borrowing, SLB, facility on the exchange.

Stock Lending and Borrowing allows investors to enhance yield of long-term holdings by lending securities to borrowers for an annualised fee while retaining all the rights of holding the securities. SLB also facilitates covered short selling allowing investors to hedge portfolios.

Speaking on the occasion, Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi, Chairman of ADX, said, ‟We are pleased to have one of the UAE’s top brokerage firms execute the first Covered Short Selling and Stock Lending and Borrowing deal on ADX. The launch of the CSS service is part of the exchange’s strategy to support the diversification of investment tools and providing investors with a broader range of hedging mechanisms. By doing so, it will attract a new segment of specialised and experienced investors, driving both liquidity and trading volumes."

He added that ADX is continually developing the services it provides to investors and stakeholders alike, and continues its efforts to develop and launch strategic initiatives. This is done in order to enhance the UAE’s investment structure and support its sustainable economic development, as part of ADX’s mission to contribute to further development of the economy of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Dhafer Sahmi Al-Ahbabi, Chairman of Al Ramz, said, "We are pleased to be the first financial services company in the UAE capital markets to utilize the Stock Lending and Borrowing facility and execute a covered short selling transaction. This is an important step forward in the development of regional capital markets. Stock lending and borrowing provides investors the opportunity to enhance the return on long-term holdings while simultaneously providing other market participants hedging and shorting solutions. We are proud to be a part of this development and we commend ADX for achieving this milestone."

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