Aldar Properties tumbled to a seven-week low on Tuesday after the developer's chief executive resigned, weighing on Abu Dhabi's index. Most Middle East markets fell, tracking hesitant global bourses as investors await a US Federal Reserve meeting, which is expected to launch a fresh bout of quantitative easing.
Aldar fell 6.2 percent to 2.40 dirhams, its lowest finish since September 15 and biggest decline since August 8. The firm's chief executive John Bullough has retired, a spokesman said on Monday. "The news came at a time when investors are awaiting Aldar's financing plan, expected to be announced soon, and triggered a knee-jerk reaction in the markets today." said Jad Abbas, EFG-Hermes real estate analyst.
Aldar previously said it would unveil a financing plan to ease stresses on its balance sheet and support its capital expenditures, with an estimated 14 billion dirhams of debt maturing in 2011. "We maintain our view that there is significant shareholder dilution risk as Aldar may raise equity and/or roll over any of the outstanding convertible bonds at a lower conversion price, which would also be dilutive," added Abbas.
Aldar is forecast to report a third-quarter loss of 231 million dirhams ($62.9 million), in what would be its fourth straight quarterly loss. Abu Dhabi's measure fell 1.4 percent, its biggest drop since June 1, while property stocks also sent Dubai's index tumbling.
Deyaar dropped 4.5 percent and Emaar Properties slid 3.1 percent. Dubai's benchmark fell 2.2 percent to 1,742 points, its biggest drop for five months. "We have been waiting for a correction and as long as the index holds above 1,670 it's a healthy move," said Musa Haddad, head of MENA equity desk at National Bank of Abu Dhabi.
Kuwaiti telecom operator Zain hit a three-week high before ending flat. The stock has been buoyant since local media said on Monday the chairman of affiliate Zain Saudi was in town for talks. Zain holds a 25 percent in Zain Saudi, complicating a 46 percent stake sale to Emirates Telecommunications Corp, which has its own Saudi affiliate, Etihad Etisalat. So traders are speculating that the chairman's visit could help ease the deal through, traders say.
Zain Saudi rose 1.9 percent and Mobily added 0.5 percent. Saudi petrochemical stocks were mixed, but the sector index is up 9 percent since October 16. "It's all about petrochemicals and this started with SABIC's results," says a Riyadh-based analyst who asked not to be identified. "Petrochemical stocks are cheap - when US markets and oil rose, we didn't participate, so something had to give and we now seem to be on a catch-up play." Saudi Basic Industries Corp reported a 46 percent rise in third-quarter profit last month, beating forecasts.