Gulf Stock Markets
With all the talk of real estate bubbles in the US, investors should take a look around the world. Nine of the ten top performing stock markets in the world this year are in the oil producing countries in the Arabian Gulf.
It’s important to keep track of these markets. They have a direct bearing on what some of the largest and most liquid investors in the world are thinking. And Gulf investors will ultimately finance the rebuilding of Iraq through direct investments in businesses and property.
These markets are hot, hot, hot! According to my friends at the Global Investment House in Kuwait, the Global Index of the top 100 companies in the Gulf increased 15.6% in August, 73.6% year to date, 109.8% over the past 12 months, and 469% since December, 1999. These 100 companies have a current market capitalization of $628 billion. Real estate markets, if anything, are even stronger.
JR
I have found an Internet based company
http://www.chinavestor.com
They cover all U.S. listed Chinese companies, weekly stock recommendation, portolios, Newsletter to eduate audiance etc. Anyway, this is a 101 for individuals interested in investing in China. CHeck them out, great source of information.
Michael
Hi John,
I think I heard Jim Cramer mention that last week. He stated that one needed to be a citizen to invest in Arab stocks directly, and complained that they should open up their stock markets to outsiders. I’m sure their ‘short interest’ stats would go up if they did. =)
Keep up the great work!
Thanks, there are actually movements afoot to make the Gulf markets available to institutional investors in the US. And foreign investors can buy selected stocks (the banks) in Qatar, I believe. I will check on this.
JR