News Feature

Arab stock market crashes to slow economic growth
Arab stock markets have tumbled lower and lower in recent weeks, and many analysts are trying to assess what the damage, if any, will be to the real economy. However, the most obvious conclusion is that growth rates will now be lower than without a series of stock market crashes in the Arab world.
Saudi Arabia: Thursday, May 11 - 2006 at 08:19 |

Dubailand to double Dubai hotel rooms with $27bn project
Dubai laid out another bold vision for the future this week with the announcement of a plan for a $27 billion hotel district within the Dubailand theme park development.
United Arab Emirates: Tuesday, May 02 - 2006 at 09:19 |

Emirates still growing strongly but fuel costs hit profit increase
The Dubai Government's flagship Emirates Group continued to grow at a blistering pace in the year to end of March with revenues up by 27 per cent to $6.6 billion and a higher passenger load factor of 76 per cent. But profits grew by a more modest five per cent to $762 million.
United Arab Emirates: Wednesday, April 26 - 2006 at 17:02 |

Lies, damn lies and official inflation statistics
Official statistics put the UAE's inflation rate in 2005 at around 6%, yet to those who live here even the National Bank of Dubai's market inflation rate estimate of 15-22% seemed on the low side. For 2006 the statisticians tell us inflation will be lower. Who are we mere mortals to point out that their statistics are clearly wrong and will be wrong again!
United Arab Emirates: Sunday, April 23 - 2006 at 15:20 |

How low can Middle East equity prices go?
Many regional investors will be huddled behind their computers this week trying to fathom where things have gone wrong for regional equities. Increasingly this looks like the Asian financial crisis contagion of 1998, with sell-offs in one market quickly impacting on neighboring markets. But how bad can it get?
United Arab Emirates: Sunday, April 16 - 2006 at 10:03 |

Why IPOs do not mix well with falling stock markets
This week the Saudi stock market tumbled by 14.2% on Monday and Tuesday. Perhap it was no coincidence that in the same week the initial public offering of the Saudi Research & Marketing Group received $388 million in 582,000 subscription applications, leaving the IPO 132% oversubscribed, and it does not close until April 17.
Saudi Arabia: Wednesday, April 12 - 2006 at 10:52 |

Should GCC states diversify reserves away from the US dollar?
The UAE Central Bank is to discuss diversification of its reserves into other currencies and possibly precious metals at a meeting this week. Many individuals are facing the same dilemma: whether to stay loyal to the US dollar or diversify their cash holdings.
Tuesday, April 04 - 2006 at 13:15 |

Difficult outlook for Arab stock markets
Investors are still shell-shocked from recent crashes, and inducements to get them back are not working. For the Arab stock markets have to face up to the new reality that their bull run is over, and begin the painful task of internal reform to allow a base to build for the next bull market, though that is probably years away.
Saudi Arabia: Monday, March 27 - 2006 at 11:22 |