MSCI Emerging Markets Upgrade for the UAE and Qatar: Likely Effects

The decision by MSCI to upgrade UAE and Qatar to Emerging Markets status from Frontier Markets status is likely to have profound, positive effects on domestic equity markets.  The upgrade will cause the investor base in domestic equities to broaden widely and could significantly increase liquidity of domestic stocks, such as DP World.

Calpers Exit from Hedge Funds – Bucking the Trend

The year 2014 has seen the global hedge fund industry achieve record assets under management, with inflows reaching US$114.8 billion year to date according to eVestment. However, while the majority of institutional investors satisfied with hedge fund returns and intending to increase allocations, The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) has surprised the industry by announcing on September 15th that it intends to withdraw all of its hedge fund investments.

The Effects of US Monetary Policy on UAE Investors and Borrowers

What is really driving the DFMGI index?

The DFMGI (Dubai Financial Market General Index) has been one of the best performing indices globally in 2014.  As of June 16, 2014 the index was up 88% year-over-year.  This outperformance is driven by a combination of factors, many of which are influenced from abroad.