Editorial Column

Traffic, inflation, competition and capacity constraints, and the top of the business cycle
The top of the business cycle is normally marked by four factors which are the bane of business life in the Gulf States today: traffic, inflation, competition and capacity constraints. But with oil back around $60 a barrel, and $50-60 now the new Opec target range for prices, this situation may not go away anytime soon.
Qatar: Tuesday, February 13 - 2007 at 10:10 |

Why Sheikh Mohammed's new 2015 vision will turn into reality
The Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum this week unveiled his vision for 2015 to an assembly of senior officials, academics and business persons. By 2015 the objective is to raise the GDP of Dubai from $37 billion to $108 billion.
United Arab Emirates: Sunday, February 04 - 2007 at 08:41 |

UAE banks remain the backbone of the nation
This week Deutsche Bank started covering UAE banking stocks and issued a report highlighting the resilience of the sector. Profit growth for the UAE banks slowed in the second half of 2006 as the local stock market crash impacted on related business. But a mortgage boom could yet be the sector's finest hour.
United Arab Emirates: Tuesday, January 30 - 2007 at 11:49 |

Good reason to expect further weakness in Arabian stocks
Since the start of the year the Shuaa Capital index of GCC stocks is down by 5.5 per cent, mainly due to a further sharp fall in Saudi Arabia, the biggest regional stock market. This weakness has impacted most on the UAE and Qatari bourses. But Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain are unlikely to escape this impact for long.
Saudi Arabia: Thursday, January 25 - 2007 at 09:51 |

Asset market distress begins to spread, tough times ahead!
Arabian stock markets plunged last year, while oil prices topped out in July and are 34 per cent lower today. At the same time the US housing market shifted from a boom to crisis mode and copper prices dropped by a third. So far this year emerging market equities have fallen by five per cent, and hedge funds are reporting poor results.
United Arab Emirates: Wednesday, January 17 - 2007 at 11:17 |

Oil price blues will dent regional business confidence
The 12 per cent fall in oil prices to around $54 since the start of the year will soon begin to impact on regional business confidence. Optimists think the oil price will bottom at this point but the technical analysts say otherwise, and a substantial retreat in the oil price before the summer is signaled.
Saudi Arabia: Wednesday, January 10 - 2007 at 16:05 |

Major GCC business themes for 2007
Each year reviewers look back on the major events of the past 12 months. So why not try to look forward and try to imagine the top six major themes for 2007 as we might discuss them in early 2008?
United Arab Emirates: Wednesday, January 03 - 2007 at 14:15 |

Rampant M&A activity may signal peak of global business cycle
High mergers and acquisition activity is almost always a sign that the global business cycle is nearing its peak. In 2006 M&A deals reached an all-time high of $3.6 trillion, compared with the previous dot-com boom in 2000 of $3.4 trillion. Alarm bells are thus ringing for 2007.
Saudi Arabia: Tuesday, December 26 - 2006 at 10:22 |