Emaar’s new US$ 1 billion financing facility – Testament to financial strength

Emaar Properties PJSC has signed a new Islamic and Conventional financing facility amounting to AED 3.6 billion (approx. US$ 1 billion) with Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC, National Bank of Abu Dhabi and Standard Chartered Bank as Mandated Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners. Read more

Wealth Management Year ahead 2012, Key Investments

Investors should focus on investments that offer yield, quality and diversification amid expectations that the global economy will avoid recession but experience fragile growth in 2012, according to Bill O’Neill, Chief Investment Officer for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and the author of the Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Year Ahead 2012. Read more

21st Century Gold Investing

The role of the Internet in the area of investing has fundamentally changed how you are able to grow your wealth. You only need to look at the phenomenon of day trading to understand that an individual with little more than an Internet connection and a Web browser is able to buy securities in nearly any market on the planet. This is increasingly true in precious metals trading, including gold. From an institutional standpoint this has been the case for several decades now. It is only recently however, that you as an individual gold investor are able to directly invest in gold in a highly transparent and secure manner. Read more

2011 CFA Institute Research Challenge

CFA Emirates, the national chapter for CFA Institute, the UAE’s leading association for financial and investment professionals, has launched its third annual research challenge.


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New Trading Rules for Old Investors

With both UAE financial markets suffering tremendous losses during the past three years, few traders and investors continue to brace the daily battles against the general indexes. Market trading rules have changed dramatically, along the sizes of holdings and portfolios.

Here are some of the new survival guidelines – trading rules, and we hope they will help you  hovering over the waves of uncertainty.


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Investors turn to U.S. and Emerging Markets, Fund Manager Survey

• BofA Merrill Lynch Fund Manager Survey Finds Investors Turning to U.S. and Emerging Markets Amid Eurozone Fears
• 72 Percent of European Investors Expect Recession in Europe

Global investors are seeking respite from troubles in the eurozone by turning to U.S. and emerging markets equities, according to the BofA Merrill Lynch Survey of Fund Managers for November.

Globally, investors have slightly increased their exposure to equities since October’s survey. A net 5 percent of the panel is underweight equities, down from a net 7 percent a month ago. The proportion of investors overweight U.S. equities rose sharply to a net 20 percent from a net 6 percent in October. Read more

Latest Investment Trends for GCC Residents

• Investors in the GCC – not a homogenous entity and there is a need to tailor products to their investor segment
• Life wrappers – preferred investment option for Western expats and Non-Resident Indians
• Preference for global equities and home market bias key drivers of expatriate investment behaviour

Findings from the 2011 Invesco Middle East Asset Management Study* show that expatriate investors in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) should not be regarded as a homogenous entity and that significant opportunities exist for life companies who tailor their propositions for each expatriate segment and their varying preferences. Read more

CEO Transitions – a risky business when comes to shareholder value

Study Challenges Perceptions of CEO Transitions and the Risk to Enterprise Value

Investors tend to be sellers rather than buyers immediately after a change in CEOs, according to a new study released today by the Strategic Communications practice of FTI Consulting (NYSE: FCN), the global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organisations protect and enhance their enterprise value. However, new CEOs have a honeymoon period of six months after their announced arrival in which to sell the financial community on their vision and strategy, as well as the ability to effectively manage shareholder expectations. Those CEOs who satisfy on these dimensions will recoup and enhance shareholder value for their companies. Read more

MENA Corp opens new branch in Dubai

Amid industry players’ shutdowns, MENA CORP eyes expansions in local market

Premier financial services group MENA CORP is pleased to announce it defied a trend in local brokerage shutdowns by expanding in the Middle East’s major investment hub, Dubai, a step that shows confidence in United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) markets future.

Trading volumes in UAE’s two main indices have declined to historical lows as investors hedge against risks in equity forcing several brokerage firms to cut jobs and ultimately close down. Read more

Fund Manager Survey finds Sovereign Debt Fears easing as Investors anticipate Greek Default

Global investors appear to be coming to terms with the prospect of a default by the Greek government, according to the BofA Merrill Lynch Survey of Fund Managers for October.

More than nine out of 10 (92 percent) of the 199 respondents to October’s global survey believe that Greece cannot avoid default. Seven out of 10 respondents predict a default by April 2012. Despite this overwhelming consensus, investors are less worried about sovereign risk than a month ago and less pessimistic about global growth. Read more

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