(Bloomberg) — Most equity markets in the Middle East fell on Sunday, despite efforts by central banks across the region to protect economies from shocks related to the coronavirus and plunging oil prices.
Dubai’s main index fell 3.4% by the close and Abu Dhabi’s dropped 1.9%, even after the United Arab Emirates announced 100 billion dirhams ($27.2 billion) of monetary stimulus over the weekend. Egyptian stocks had their worst day since 2012, weakening more than 9%. Gauges in Saudi Arabia and Israel also traded lower.
The U.A.E.’s Targeted Economic Support Scheme includes 50 billion dirhams of zero-interest, collateralized loans for banks. In addition, lenders will be allowed to reduce their capital buffers, which will inject 50 billion dirhams of liquidity.
“I remain focused on the demand side,” Ali Taqi, the head of equities at Rasmala Investment Bank in Dubai, said in an interview with Bloomberg TV. “How are you going to stimulate demand? Restaurants, cafes are a lot emptier now. Having a relief is good, but business is much more concerned with the decline in footfall. It will take some time for people to feel comfortable again.”
The U.A.E.’s measures follow those of other Middle Eastern nations. Saudi Arabia’s central bank unveiled a 50-billion riyal ($13.3 billion) package to support private businesses and Egypt said it will allocate 100 billion pounds ($6.4 billion) to combat the virus. In Israel, the central bank will buy government bonds to moderate volatility.
While the moves should provide relief to small and mid-size enterprises, “what makes the current situation a bit more challenging is the simultaneous hit to both supply and demand,” said Taqi.
An overview of Middle East markets as of 2 p.m. in Dubai:
- Egypt’s EGX 30 lost 9.1%, the most in the region, with Commercial International Bank Egypt, Eastern Co. and Egypt Kuwait Holding losing more than 9%.
- Index retreats the lowest level since Nov. 2016.
- Gauges in Dubai and Abu Dhabi drop 3.4% and 2.5%, respectively, with lenders Emirates NBD PJSC and First abu Dhabi Bank retreating 5.5% and 8.4%.
- Abu Dhabi’s exchange announced it is closing trading halls in main offices, but will continue to provide trading via its digital platform.
- Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index falls 0.7%, with almost two thirds of its members falling.
- Saudi Aramco declines 0.7% after the announcing a spending cut for this year.
- Kuwait’s main index dropped 6.5%.
- Israel’s TA-35 rose 1.4%, after earlier falling 1.1%. The yield on the country’s benchmark government bonds fell.
Governments across the region are stepping up efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Saudi Arabia suspended all international flights for two weeks, while the U.A.E. temporally stopped issuing visas. Egypt shut schools for two weeks and Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the closure of non-essential businesses and advised workers to stay away from offices.
“These stimulus packages are likely to ease some pressure on businesses,” said Edmond Christou, a financial-industry analyst with Bloomberg Intelligence. “However, that largely depends on the depth and persistence of the coronavirus spread, as well as banks’ appetite to deploy this liquidity into credit growth.”
