Taking stock of Mena's year ahead - The National

Market traders have been caught off-guard since the beginning of last month.

Political turmoil in the Middle East and rising commodity prices have brought unwelcome memories from the end of 2008 when equities slumped and liquidity started to dry up.

Since the start of this year Saudi Arabia's market, the biggest in the Arab world, has shed 8.3 per cent of its value, while Dubai has lost 9.7 per cent and Kuwait has fallen almost 10 per cent. There have been losses in all regional markets.