Lebanese Capital Markets

Lebanese equity markets BLOM Stock Index (BSI) Weighted effective yield of Eurobonds Equities update Although political tensions in Lebanon eased following the formation of a new cabinet, investor sentiment remained wary in light of escalating political upheaval throughout the Middle East and North Africa region. This was mainly reflected in low trade volumes on the Beirut Stock Exchange for the four-week period from June 20 to July 15, 2011. The daily average volume for the month reached 120,568 shares compared to 306,829 shares recorded over the preceding four weeks. Furthermore, the corresponding traded values fell by half to $1.56 million. The BLOM Stock Index (BSI), Lebanon’s equity gauge, fell considerably during the aforementioned period, ending at 1,320 points on July 15, 3.05 percent lower than its previous close on June 17, and amounting to a 10.5 percent loss  since the start of the year. Compared to regional and emerging markets,