Egypt stocks slide 2.5pc on crisis
Cairo, August 18, 2013
Egypt's stock market fell sharply on Sunday as it resumed trading after hundreds of people were killed in a crackdown by the army-backed government on supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Cairo's main equities index was down 2.5 percent in the opening minutes to 5,410 points. It fell 1.7 percent last Wednesday, before the market was shut on Thursday because of the violence. Sunday's trading day will be shortened to three hours from four to give exchange employees time to obey a curfew.
The index fell below major technical support around 5,450 points, where it peaked in May and July.
In addition to the bloodshed, the government has threatened to ban the Brotherhood, which could end remaining hopes for inclusive parliamentary elections and a return to civilian rule in coming months.
"As long as we have bloodshed on the streets, it takes away any reason for foreign and regional investors to buy in Egypt," said Amer Khan, director at Shuaa Asset Management in Dubai.
"There are many opportunities in the Egyptian market but you need economic clarity for these opportunities to be attractive." - Reuters
