Nov. 18--DFM DROPS 5.12 PERCENT: The Dubai Financial Market on Tuesday fell 109.70 points, or 5.12 percent, to close on 2,033. Emaar dropped 10 percent to lead declines. Shuaa Capital and Ajman Bank also fell close to 10 percent. In Abu Dhabi, the ADX dipped 37.10 points, or 1.30 percent, to finish on 2,883.

DIFX IS REBRANDED 'NASDAQ DUBAI': The Dubai International Financial Exchange (DIFX) has rebranded its market as NASDAQ Dubai, effective today. NASDAQ OMX Group, the world's largest exchange company, also announced today it will list its shares on NASDAQ Dubai on November 20th. NASDAQ OMX acquired a one-third stake in NASDAQ Dubai in February 2008. The other two-thirds is owned by Borse Dubai.

DUBAI WORLD SAYS IT IS NOT FOR SALE: Sultan Ahmad Bin Sulayem, executive chairman of Dubai World, said his company and its subsidiaries are not for sale. In an interview with Arabic daily Al Khaleej, Bin Sulayem said Dubai World, one of the emirate's largest holding companies, is studying the option of offering stakes in its companies, but it has not entered into negotiations for selling stakes or received any offers. Dubai World is not facing any financial problems and will not make any of its employees redundant, he added, quashing rumours of downsizing operations of Nakheel -- its biggest property development arm.

DUBAI ALLAYS CREDIT FEARS: Saud Ba'Alawy, executive chairman of Dubai Group, an investment company belonging to Dubai Holding, said short-term capital shortages and the international credit crunch will not have any major impact on Dubai's long term investment plans and growth strategies, reported Gulf News. While admitting scarcity of credit is a problem, Ba'Alawy said falling global interest rates, combined with the huge amounts of liquidity being pumped in to the financial system by governments all over the world would ease the crunch in the medium term. Ba'Alawy added that Dubai's strength comes from the leadership and capability of people that have 'built Dubai from nothing'.

DFM AND ADX MARKETS CLOSE POSITIVE: Both the Dubai Finance Market and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchanges closed in positive territory today, following their recent losses. The DFM closed at 2,142.85, up 8.15 percent, while the ADX ended the trading day at 2,846.68, a 3.3 percent increase. Both UAE markets have suffered heavy losses over the past few months, with the DFM down 63 percent and ADX down 37 percent year to date. On the DFM, Emaar did manage to reverse its losses today, climbing 14.98 percent to Dhs3.3, after yesterdays drop of 9.75 percent.