gulfnews : Regional stock markets affected

The region's stock markets are likely to move sideways with a downward bias in the week ahead as global investors have increasingly become risk-averse over the past one month due to the Eurozone debt crisis, which experts fear is deepening.

"The global markets are in a risk-off mode. I would expect the regional markets to trade sideways until we get some resolution from Europe with regard to the Greek situation," Mark Watts, head of fixed income, asset management group at the National Bank of Abu Dhabi told Gulf News.

"There has to be more clarity from Europe for trading volumes to increase in the region. We believe, once the current uncertainties are removed, investors will return to the regional markets to pick up value securities," Watts added.

* username: rupertbu