Don't mess with Gulf retail investors

While there is sufficient demand for IPOs in Europe and US, appetite in the Middle East is lacklustre

Note to investment bankers: think again if you reckon you can sell just about anything to the plentiful wealthy of the Persian Gulf's oil-rich states.

Sure, they still like their fancy cars and watches, Armani suits and Louis Vuitton luggage. But try flogging them overpriced stock in these straitened, cautious days and they'll show you the door.

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