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Dubai ruler al-Maktoum plays up strength as Gulf markets fall
December 1, 2009--Gulf markets dropped again on Tuesday, taking little comfort from Dubai World’s plan to restructure about $26 billion of debt, while the rulers of Abu Dhabi and Dubai talked up their economic strength.
Dubai stocks fell a further 3.6 percent and the Abu Dhabi bourse lost 5.6 percent on their second trading day since Dubai last week asked creditors of Dubai World and its property arm Nakheel for a six-month delay on debt repayments. Qatar’s bourse was also more than 8 percent lower.
Moody's: Dubai World restructuring unlikely to threaten sovereign credit of UAE and Abu Dhabi
December 1, 2009--Moody's Investors Service said that the recently announced restructuring of Dubai World's
liabilities is unlikely to threaten the credit quality of the government of Abu Dhabi and the federal government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Both of these governments are rated Aa2 with a stable outlook.
DP World drops almost 15% on Nasdaq Dubaiunlikely to threaten sovereign credit of UAE and Abu Dhabi
December 1, 2009--DP World, the Middle East's largest port operator and a unit of Dubai World, fell today by the maximum limit allowed by Nasdaq Dubai regulations, declining almost 15% to 37 cents.
The company said on Nov 26 that it was not part of the restructuring process announced for Dubai World.
Dubai World: Official statement on debt obligations
December 1, 2009--Following a detailed review of the Group's liquidity and capital structure, Dubai World has concluded that it should immediately consider alternatives in respect of the debt obligations of certain entities within the Group.
The proposed restructuring process will only relate to Dubai World and certain of its subsidiaries including; Nakheel World and Limitless World.
The process will not include Infinity World Holding, Istithmar World and Ports & Free Zone World (which includes DP World, Economic Zones World, P&O Ferries and Jebel Ali Free Zone), all of which are on a stable financial footing.
The total value of debt carried by the companies subject to the restructuring process amounts to approximately $26bn, of which approximately $6bn relates to the Nakheel sukuk.
Dubai Central Bank to Provide Liquidity to Banks
November 29, 2009--The United Arab Emirates' central bank set up new additional liquidity facility for commercial banks, it said on Sunday.
"Central Bank has issued a notice to UAE banks and branches of foreign banks operating in the UAE, making available to them a special additional liquidity facility linked to their current accounts at the central bank, at the rate of 50 basis points above the 3 months EIBOR (Emirates interbank offered rate)," it said in a statement.
Moody's: UAE banks with largest exposures to Dubai World remain on review
November 30, 2009--Based on an initial assessment of the exposures of rated banks in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Dubai World and its subsidiary Nakheel, Moody's Investors Service says that it will not implement any rating changes for now given that the banks that have sizeable exposures to Dubai World are either already on review for possible downgrade or carry a negative outlook on their deposit ratings.
Government of Dubai to seek a six-month "standstill"
Moody's announcement is in response to the decision by the Government of Dubai to seek a six-month "standstill" period for repaying the debts that are due by Dubai World, one of the largest Dubai government entities, and its subsidiary Nakheel, the property development company.
Dubai Mercantile Exchange Announces One Billion Barrels Traded Since Launch
November 30, 2009-- 29 November 2009: The Dubai Mercantile Exchange Limited (DME) announced today that cumulative trading in its benchmark DME Oman Crude Oil Futures Contract (DME Oman) has exceeded one million contracts, representing one billion barrels of crude oil traded, since its launch on June 1st, 2007.
At the close of trading on 27 November 2009, DME Oman had traded a total of 1,000,174 contracts, which at 1,000 barrels per contract is equivalent to more than 1 billion barrels of crude oil.
Since its inception, DME Oman has provided the most fair and transparent price discovery mechanism for East of Suez crude markets. Reflecting the growing liquidity of its flagship contract, the DME reported a 60 per cent year on year increase in average daily volumes during 2009, averaging at 2,037 contracts.
DME Oman continues to demonstrate a strong link to the underlying Oman crude physical market and is the largest physically delivered crude oil contract in the world. Physical deliveries of DME Oman have recently averaged 10 million barrels per month, achieving a record volume of 11.6 million barrels for September 2009 delivery. This development marks a 60 per cent increase in physically delivered volumes from August 2007 to date.
Marking the announcement, Ahmad Sharaf , Chairman of the DME said:
“This is a very positive day for the DME. The billion barrels milestone is further confirmation to the markets, our stakeholders and shareholders that the fundamentals are in place for the long-term success of the flagship DME Oman Crude Oil Futures Contract and the DME as a whole”.
Craig Donohue, Chief Executive Officer of CME Group, commented :
“CME Group congratulates DME on this significant milestone, which reflects the growing acceptance of the DME Oman Crude Oil Futures Contract among key energy traders and hedgers, particularly in the key AsiaPac region. We look forward to continued successful co-operation between our organisations, which together offer customers the three key crude oil benchmarks serving the Middle East, Europe and North America on a global platform, virtually around the clock.”
Thomas Leaver, Chief Executive Officer of the DME, added: “The DME continues to go from strength to strength. This time last year we were announcing more than 500,000 contracts traded in the 18 months since launch. Just 12 months on, we have succeeded in doubling that volume to one million. This is a testament to the overwhelming support of our customers and a growing recognition that DME Oman provides the most efficient price discovery and risk management tool to participants in the rapidly growing East of Suez markets.”
Dubai Gold And Commodities Exchange Weekly Views -November 29, 2009
Commodities Overview
November 29, 2009--Precious metals prices continue to move higher, with gold reaching record levels. Investors have been driving the increase in prices, out of a range of economic, political, and financial concerns.
The last two weeks saw a diminution of the price sensitivity of some investors, including some in India and North America: Investors that had resisted buying into the rally to record high gold prices capitulated, and started buying.
Currencies Overview
Currency markets could be unsettled this week. The dollar weakened sharply last week. Further declines may not be seen for the dollar, but the dollar could toss and turn against the euro and other currencies. The European and North American economies are moving toward an economic recovery. Whether they will achieve a sustainable recovery or fall back into recession is not clear. Pending any major economic or financial disruption, recovery seems most likely, but there are any number of problems looming over the world economy at present that could upset this outlook. Investors are rightly concerned about the myriad of developments which could go wrong, upsetting the apple cart.
Abu Dhabi market sees slight gain
November 25, 2009--The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange gained 0.56% today to close on 2,910, led by the construction industry, which climbed 1.59%.
Union Cement was the day's big gainer, up 9.49% to dhs1.73. Overall, 22 ended higher, eight declined, and eight were unchanged.
DFM gains 1.08%
November 25, 2009--The Dubai Financial Market gained 1.08% today to close on 2,093. Global Investment House led all gainers, up 14.96% to Dhs1.46.
Market heavyweight Emaar also ended higher, up 0.73% to Dhs4.16. Overall, 22 stocks gained, 2 ended lower, and 5 were unchanged.
