DUBAI, July 1 (Reuters) - NYSE Euronext, owner of the New York Stock Exchange, has agreed to buy a 20 percent stake in the renamed Qatar Exchange for $200 million.
Following is a summary of the eight regional exchanges:
QATAR EXCHANGE
Market capitalisation $74.7 billion. 42 listed stocks.
The Qatar exchange is 80 percent owned by Qatar Holding, a direct investment arm of the Qatar Investment Authority.
Qatar's benchmark is the second worst performing Gulf Arab index in 2009, falling 5.7 percent, although it remains the best performer since the end of 2007 as the country's strong macroeconomic outlook supports stocks.
Over the past three months, average daily trading on Qatar's index was 18 million shares, the second lowest in the region.
Qatar's five largest companies are: Industries Qatar, Qatar National Bank, Qatar Telecom (Qtel), Qatar Islamic Bank and Qatar Gas Transport Co (Nakilat).
DUBAI FINANCIAL MARKET
Market capitalisation $47.4 billion. 66 listed stocks.
One of the three exchanges in the United Arab Emirates, the Dubai market is 80 percent owned by Borse Dubai, a Dubai government entity, with the remaining 20 percent held in free float shares. Borse Dubai also holds a 21 percent stake in the London Stock Exchange.
The Dubai Financial Market Co, operating since March 2000, is the only Gulf Arab stock exchange to go public. Thirty two stocks are listed on its General Index.
Over the past three months, average daily trading on Dubai's index was 609 million shares.
The five largest companies on the General Index by market capitalisation are: Emirates NBD, Mashreq Bank, Emaar Properties , Dubai Financial Market and telecom operator Du.
ABU DHABI SECURITIES EXCHANGE
Market capitalisation $78.9 billion. 66 listed stocks.
Of these listings, 62 are included in the ADX General Index. The ADX was established in November 2000 and is wholly owned by the Abu Dhabi government.
Over the past three months, average daily trading on Abu Dhabi's index was 225 million shares, behind the Kuwait, Dubai and Saudi Arabia benchmarks.
The five largest companies on the Index by market capitalisation are: Emirates Telecommunications Corp (Etisalat), National Bank of Abu Dhabi, First Gulf Bank, Aldar Properties and Abu Dhabi National Energy Co.
NASDAQ DUBAI
Formerly known as the Dubai International Finance Exchange, Nasdaq Dubai is two-thirds owned by Borse Dubai. The remaining third is held by Nasdaq OMX Group.
The exchange was launched in 2005 and has 18 listed stocks, although only one, DP World, is active on a daily basis.
SAUDI STOCK EXCHANGE (TADAWUL)
Market capitalisation $287.5 billion. 129 listed stocks.
The Tadawul, created in 1994, is wholly-owned by the Saudi government. Over the past three months, average daily trading on Saudi Arabia's index was 283 million shares.
The Saudi index is the best performing regional benchmark this year, rising 16.5 percent.
The five largest listed companies on the TASI are: Saudi Basic Industries Corp (SABIC), Saudi Telecom Co, Al-Rajhi Bank, Samba Financial Group and Saudi Electricity Co.
KUWAIT STOCK EXCHANGE
Market capitalisation $122.3 billion. 217 listed stocks.
The government-owned KSE is second only to Saudi Arabia in terms of market capitalisation and has the most listings regionally with 217 stocks.
The five largest companies on the index by market capitalisation are: Mobile Telecommunications Co (ZAIN), National Bank of Kuwait, Kuwait Finance House, Agility and Gulf Bank
MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET
Market capitalisation $16.9 billion. 132 listed stocks.
The Muscat Securities Market is wholly government-owned exchange. Over the past three months, average daily trading on Oman's index was 29.7 million shares. Oman's measure has added 3.1 percent in 2009.
The five largest companies on the Index by market capitalisation are: Omantel, Bank Muscat, National Bank of Oman , Bank Dhofar and Oman International Bank.
BAHRAIN STOCK EXCHANGE
Market capitalisation $28.3 billion. 49 listed stocks
The Bahrain market is second-smallest in the Gulf Arab region by market capitalisation. Over the past three months, average daily trading on Bahrain's index was 3.2 million shares.
Note: market capitalisation figures are based on Reuters data at June 30 closing prices and include secondary listings. Consequently, some companies are counted in more than one market total.
(Compiled by Matt Smith; Editing by Mariam Karouny)