MIDEAST STOCKS-Major Gulf markets steady; Aramco hits lowest level since IPO - Reuters

MIDEAST STOCKS-Major Gulf markets steady; Aramco hits lowest level since IPO - Reuters:

Major Gulf stock markets were steady in
quiet trade on Wednesday, while oil giant Saudi Aramco extended
losses and hit its lowest mark since it began trading.

Saudi Arabia's benchmark index declined 0.5% with
Samba Financial Group shedding 2.3%, and shopping mall
operator Arabian Centres dropping 1.8% after posting a
steep fall in third-quarter profit.

Rating agency Fitch said on Wednesday that growth had
returned to Saudi banks but remained fragile.

Oil giant Saudi Aramco dipped 0.6% to 33.65 riyals
($8.97), hitting its lowest point since it began trading on Dec.
11.

Egypt's blue-chip index gained 0.5%; Eastern
Company gained 3.7%, while Telecom Egypt
jumped 5.4% following its update on Vodafone Egypt.