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UAE markets close steady
DFM closes at a month-high despite fall of Egypt shares
March 23, 2011--UAE markets ended mixed on Wednesday, showing little reaction from sharp declines on Egypt's index as Cairo trading resumed following an eight-week suspension
Dubai Financial Market’s index closed at a month-high, rising 0.6 per cent to 1,529 points, its fifth gain in six sessions, although it is down 6.2 per cent in 2011.
"It's very positive for UAE markets that they haven't reacted to Egypt opening at limit down," Mohammed Yasin, CAPM Investment chief investment officer said.
MENA M&A deals increase by 65%
March 23, 2011--Ernst and Young has said the total value of deals announced last year in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region climbed 65% to $55.9bn last year from $33.9bn in 2009.
Total volume of announced M&A deals also increased from 2009 to 2010, going from 353 deals to 402 deals, a rise of 14%. The UAE was the top acquiring country in terms of volume of deals with 42 deals, which comprised 36% of total volume of outbound deals; followed by Qatar with 14 deals comprising 12% and Saudi Arabia with 13 deals comprising 11%.
Egyptian Exchange opens, hit by giant wave of selling
March 23, 2011--The Egyptian Exchange opened today at 10:30am after nearly two months, and was immediately swamped with a flood of selling, which saw the index plunge nearly 10% and trading halted a few minutes after the exchange opened. The EGX 30 Benchmark opened the day at 5,646.50 but selling pressure that had built up before trading opened saw the index start to plummet down and buyers stayed well clear. Trading was halted for 30 minutes with the index at 5,085.63, according to the EGX website.
When the exchange reopened, the mood was a little better and the index slowly edged up to 5,155.33 over the next 50 minutes before drifting through to close at 5,142.71 after a further 2 hours, down 8.9% on the day.
Foreigners and then Gulf Cooperation Council members reportedly led the sell-off.
Composition Of Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Corporate Bond Indices As Of April 3rd, 2011
March 22, 2011--As of April 3rd 2011, the composition of the corporate bond indices will be updated.
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Egypt bourse set to open on Wednesday
March 22, 2011--Egyptian cabinet spokesman, Magdy Rady has announced the stock exchange will reopen tomorrow, more than seven weeks after having closed down due to the unrest that ousted Hosni Mubarak,
Mena news agency has reported. MSCI has warned Egypt it risked exclusion from its emerging markets index if the exchange it did not reopen by March 24.
Tadawul bourse adds 0.21%
March 21, 2011-The Saudi Arabian Tadawul market closed 0.21% higher on Monday to reach 6,357.37.
Petrochemical giant SABIC gained a quarter percent to reach SR101.75. Eigthy-eight shares advanced, 41 lost and 16 finished flat, reflecting the consolidation sentiment at the market in Riyadh after a week of strong gains.
Egypt bourse announcement expected soon
March 21, 2011--Egyptian prime minister Essam Sharaf has said the country's stock exchange, which has been closed since January 30, is set to announce within days a date for reopening, state news agency Mena has reported.
An executive from index provider MSCI said on Friday that Egypt must reopen its stock exchange by next Thursday to avoid the risk of exclusion from MSCI's emerging markets index.
Dubai Gold And Commodities Exchange Weekly View-March 20, 2011
April 20, 2011--Economic Data Overview
Although there is plenty of economic data during the March 21 week, focus will likely still be on the release of the March employment data on April 1.
The release of the Richmond Fed's Manufacturing Survey for March on Tuesday should reinforce what the New York and Philadelphia Fed outlooks had to say about conditions in the factory sector. The components for new orders and employment should continue to signal expansion, and overall activity remains on the rise.
The report on new orders for durable goods in February is set for Thursday. Once more the transportation component will probably have the biggest impact on the headline number. Civilian aircraft orders were down for a second month in a row, and will contribute to softness in transportation, although that is likely to be offset by demand for new motor vehicles.
The final Reuters/University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index could well be revised lower from the 68.2 in the preliminary report. Consumers have been buffeted by horrendous news from the earthquake in Japan and the subsequent volatility in financial markets. Gasoline prices also have remained high.
Initial claims for the week ended March 19 are expected to be in line with recent weeks, showing a modest downward trend for initial claims, and steady declines in continuing and extended benefits. The labor market is mending, albeit at a slow pace.
The BLS will release February data for mass layoff activity on Tuesday and for state unemployment on Friday. Outside of the government sector, layoff activity has returned to..
Kuwait market advances 0.21%
MArch 17, 2011--The KSE Market or Price Index closed up 0.21% to reach 6,263.8.
The industry segment outperformed all other segments while services and food firms dipped overall slightly. Mushrif Trading and Contracting posted the largest gain (up 9.25% at KD0.118) while Gulf Franchising Holding dived 14.7%, finishing at KD0.029.
Qatar Exchange recovers slightly
March 17, 2011--In line with the general upswing at GCC markets in Thursday, the QE Index closed 0.78% higher at 8,185.72.
Qatar Meat and Livestock posted the largest advance, soaring five percent to reach QR18.20. Cinema was the top loser, finishing 8.16% lower at QR40.50. Qatar International Islamic Bank jumped 2.11% to reach QR46.00. Earlier in the day, the bank announced that it will offer to acquire the remaining issued share capital of Islamic Bank of Britain, known as IBB, not already held by the Company. "Under the terms of the offer, shareholders of IBB will receive one penny in cash for each IBB Share. The board of directors of IBB has approved the terms of the offer," the statement says.
