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Dubai shares plunge on debt fears Dubai shares plunge on debt fears
(20 minutes later)
The main stock markets in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have closed sharply lower.The main stock markets in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have closed sharply lower.
Abu Dhabi saw a record one-day fall of 8.3%, while Dubai's Financial Market Index lost 7.3% - the biggest decline since October 2008.Abu Dhabi saw a record one-day fall of 8.3%, while Dubai's Financial Market Index lost 7.3% - the biggest decline since October 2008.
Earlier, Dubai's property developer, Nakheel, had asked for trading of some of its Islamic bonds to be suspended.
Shares traded in the region for the first time since the state-owned property company Dubai World asked for an extension on repaying its debts.Shares traded in the region for the first time since the state-owned property company Dubai World asked for an extension on repaying its debts.
Dubai's finance minister, Abdulrahman al-Saleh, said the government was not responsible for Dubai World's debt.
"Creditors need to take part of the responsibility for their decision to lend to the companies... they think Dubai World is part of the government, which is not correct," he told Dubai Television.
Greece and Latvia are paying more for their debt, thanks to Dubai Stephanie Flanders, BBC economics editor Send us your commentsGreece and Latvia are paying more for their debt, thanks to Dubai Stephanie Flanders, BBC economics editor Send us your comments
Earlier, Dubai's property developer, Nakheel, had asked for trading of some of its Islamic bonds to be suspended.
The central bank of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said on Sunday it would provide banks with extra liquidity.The central bank of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said on Sunday it would provide banks with extra liquidity.
European markets were trading slightly lower. The UK's FTSE 100 was down 0.7%, Germany's Dax fell 0.7% and France's Cac 40 slid 1.3%.European markets were trading slightly lower. The UK's FTSE 100 was down 0.7%, Germany's Dax fell 0.7% and France's Cac 40 slid 1.3%.
Banks fell more sharply - in the UK, RBS was down 4.6% while Lloyds shed 5.7%.Banks fell more sharply - in the UK, RBS was down 4.6% while Lloyds shed 5.7%.
On the Dubai bourse, construction and financial stocks slumped nearly 10%. The debt-ridden Dubai World fell 15%.On the Dubai bourse, construction and financial stocks slumped nearly 10%. The debt-ridden Dubai World fell 15%.
"This was expected because markets have panicked over exaggerated reports in the Western media," Hamam al-Shamaa from Al-Fajr Securities said."This was expected because markets have panicked over exaggerated reports in the Western media," Hamam al-Shamaa from Al-Fajr Securities said.
He added that many foreign investors were withdrawing from the market and that tomorrow would probably be a similar day.He added that many foreign investors were withdrawing from the market and that tomorrow would probably be a similar day.
World reactionWorld reaction
ANALYSIS By Ben Thompson, Middle East business reporter, DubaiANALYSIS By Ben Thompson, Middle East business reporter, Dubai
When it came the fall was hard and fast. After the Eid holiday, this was the first opportunity investors here had to make their feelings known. And that they did.When it came the fall was hard and fast. After the Eid holiday, this was the first opportunity investors here had to make their feelings known. And that they did.
Foreign investors, it seems, were the ones pulling out their money. Locals were choosing to sit out the storm.Foreign investors, it seems, were the ones pulling out their money. Locals were choosing to sit out the storm.
But whilst the falls were severe, it wasn't the bloodbath that had been expected. Some analysts had predicted that a 10% fall was all but inevitable.But whilst the falls were severe, it wasn't the bloodbath that had been expected. Some analysts had predicted that a 10% fall was all but inevitable.
And so some comfort that the losses weren't as steep, but there's still unease. The biggest concern here is what this does to Dubai's international reputation. Investors have left. Will they ever come back? And so there is some comfort that the losses weren't as steep, but there's still unease. The biggest concern here is what this does to Dubai's international reputation. Investors have left. Will they ever come back?
While shares in the Middle East dropped sharply, Asian shares rebounded on Monday on hopes the Dubai debt crisis will not spread to other financial markets after the UAE central bank decision.While shares in the Middle East dropped sharply, Asian shares rebounded on Monday on hopes the Dubai debt crisis will not spread to other financial markets after the UAE central bank decision.
Asian markets closed before the announcement that Nakheel had asked to suspend some of its bonds.Asian markets closed before the announcement that Nakheel had asked to suspend some of its bonds.
Banks such as Mizuho Financial and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group in Tokyo, and HSBC and Standard Chartered in Hong Kong led the rally.Banks such as Mizuho Financial and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group in Tokyo, and HSBC and Standard Chartered in Hong Kong led the rally.
Tokyo's Nikkei 225 index rose 2.9%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 3.6% and stocks in Shanghai rose 2.5%.Tokyo's Nikkei 225 index rose 2.9%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 3.6% and stocks in Shanghai rose 2.5%.
Shares in Samsung C&T, builder of the Burj tower in Dubai that will be the world's tallest when completed, gained nearly 5%.Shares in Samsung C&T, builder of the Burj tower in Dubai that will be the world's tallest when completed, gained nearly 5%.
The yen rose against the dollar after the announcement from Nakheel, paring earlier declines.The yen rose against the dollar after the announcement from Nakheel, paring earlier declines.
The South Korean won also gained after the finance ministry said its banks had "limited" exposure to Dubai debt.The South Korean won also gained after the finance ministry said its banks had "limited" exposure to Dubai debt.
Crude oil rose by 1% to more than $76 a barrel, after the benchmark commodity slid last week on fears over Dubai's financial health.Crude oil rose by 1% to more than $76 a barrel, after the benchmark commodity slid last week on fears over Dubai's financial health.
Bank assistanceBank assistance

What went wrong in Dubai

Dubai does not have the enormous oil wealth enjoyed by its neighbours such as Abu Dhabi. Its main source of wealth has historically been as a port.
In recent years it has sought to make money from property development and luxury tourism, building impressive hotels such as the Burj al-Arab.
The global downturn left many financial workers unemployed. The population fell an estimated 17%, meaning there was little demand for new properties.
There was also less demand for luxury holidays. Dubai companies have borrowed money to fund huge building projects such as "The World" and are now unable to repay it.
There are jitters on financial markets about who lent all the money. European banks are estimated to have lent more than £50bn to the whole of the United Arab Emirates.
Dubai state-backed companies may also have to sell-off some of their assets overseas such as luxury property in London and the Turnberry golf course in Scotland.
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What went wrong in Dubai

Dubai does not have the enormous oil wealth enjoyed by its neighbours such as Abu Dhabi. Its main source of wealth has historically been as a port.
In recent years it has sought to make money from property development and luxury tourism, building impressive hotels such as the Burj al-Arab.
The global downturn left many financial workers unemployed. The population fell an estimated 17%, meaning there was little demand for new properties.
There was also less demand for luxury holidays. Dubai companies have borrowed money to fund huge building projects such as "The World" and are now unable to repay it.
There are jitters on financial markets about who lent all the money. European banks are estimated to have lent more than £50bn to the whole of the United Arab Emirates.
Dubai state-backed companies may also have to sell-off some of their assets overseas such as luxury property in London and the Turnberry golf course in Scotland.
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On Sunday, the central bank of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said it was setting up a facility to provide banks with extra liquidity.On Sunday, the central bank of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said it was setting up a facility to provide banks with extra liquidity.
The liquidity will be available to all UAE banks as well as foreign banks operating in the Emirates.The liquidity will be available to all UAE banks as well as foreign banks operating in the Emirates.
The bank added that the banking system in the UAE was more sound and liquid than a year ago.The bank added that the banking system in the UAE was more sound and liquid than a year ago.
That came after Wednesday's announcement from Dubai World asking for a suspension on its debt repayments, which sent world stock markets tumbling.That came after Wednesday's announcement from Dubai World asking for a suspension on its debt repayments, which sent world stock markets tumbling.
Meanwhile, neighbouring Abu Dhabi has said it will "pick and choose" how to assist Dubai.Meanwhile, neighbouring Abu Dhabi has said it will "pick and choose" how to assist Dubai.
"We will look at Dubai's commitments and approach them on a case-by-case basis," an Abu Dhabi government official said on Saturday."We will look at Dubai's commitments and approach them on a case-by-case basis," an Abu Dhabi government official said on Saturday.
"It does not mean that Abu Dhabi will underwrite all of their debts," he added."It does not mean that Abu Dhabi will underwrite all of their debts," he added.
Paying the pricePaying the price
The BBC's economics editor Stephanie Flanders said the situation in Dubai had alerted investors to the idea that you can lose money on government bonds - even if they appear to have implicit guarantees.The BBC's economics editor Stephanie Flanders said the situation in Dubai had alerted investors to the idea that you can lose money on government bonds - even if they appear to have implicit guarantees.
The repercussions of Dubai's debt crisis is already making it more expensive for countries with large deficits to sell their debt.The repercussions of Dubai's debt crisis is already making it more expensive for countries with large deficits to sell their debt.
"There are lots of other governments out there who don't have rich neighbours with oil to bail them out, who may have trouble in the next few months or years," she commented."There are lots of other governments out there who don't have rich neighbours with oil to bail them out, who may have trouble in the next few months or years," she commented.
"Greece and Latvia are paying more for their debt, thanks to Dubai.""Greece and Latvia are paying more for their debt, thanks to Dubai."