Regional equity markets

Beirut SE   Current year high: 1,200.49    Current year low: 953.88 >  Review period: Closed Sept 23 at 969.34 points               Period change: 1.4% Despite a minor improvement in the MSCI Lebanon index, Lebanese stocks are in the mode of attractive pricing; the Beirut market is the biggest loser so far in 2010. Political concerns were unabated in September as market participants marveled at fractious interactions between local, regional and international power brokers. Citigroup analysts confirmed that they continue to regard real estate scrip Solidere as having price potential far above the sub-$20 range it has been traded at lately. Bank of Beirut saw some selling after disclosing plans for a $159 million preferred shares issue. Amman SE   Current year high: 2,693.91                Current year low: 2,223.30 > Review period: Closed Sept 23 at 2,309.21 points             Period change: 2.68% Although gainers outnumbered losers on the Amman Stock Exchange in the review