Regional equity markets

Beirut SE  (One month) Current year high: 1,200.49    Current year low: 705.56 During the buildup towards end of year revelry, excitement in Lebanon was largely reserved for street life and hospitality businesses. The Dubai World shock had an impact on the Beirut Stock Exchange but only by a dent of 2.5%, minor when compared with Gulf markets. Overall, the BSE was in tune with developing market trends in the Nov 18 to Dec 17 review period and the MSCI Lebanon index closed at 1,106.70 points on Dec 17, 3% lower from the start of the period. Trading volumes on the BSE contracted in December and the index moved sideways with a minimal downward bias in the second and third weeks of the month as investors were not seen to make major moves. Stocks of Lebanon’s major banks ended the review period in positive territory. The two share classes of real