MIDEAST STOCKS-Most Gulf stocks slide as coronavirus pandemic fears grow | Nasdaq

MIDEAST STOCKS-Most Gulf stocks slide as coronavirus pandemic fears grow | Nasdaq:

Most bourses in the Gulf fell further on Thursday as a rise in new coronavirus cases outside of China heightened fears of a pandemic.

Governments ramped up measures to battle a global pandemic of the coronavirus as the number of infections outside China, the source of the outbreak, for the first time surpassed those appearing inside the country.

The Dubai's index .DFMGI lost 1.1%, extending losses for a fifth consecutive day. Emaar Properties EMAR.DU fell 1.7% and Dubai Islamic Bank DISB.DU opened 1.3% down.

Air Arabia AIRA.DU, the United Arab Emirates' only listed airline, dropped a further 2.1%. On Tuesday, the UAE suspended all flights to and from Iran for at least a week due to the spread of the coronavirus in the Islamic republic.

Saudi Arabia's benchmark index .TASI retreated 0.9%. Al Rajhi Bank 1120.SE decreased 0.9% and hotel operator and developer Jabal Omar Development 4250.SE declined 3.6%.