MIDEAST STOCKS #Qatar bourse gains as major Gulf markets ease | Reuters

MIDEAST STOCKS Qatar bourse gains as major Gulf markets ease | Reuters

Most major stock markets in the Gulf ended lower on Wednesday, extending losses from the previous session, after Saudi Arabia amended import rules from the Gulf in a challenge to the United Arab Emirates, although Qatar bucked the trend.

Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) fell 0.1%, hit by a 0.9% fall in Al Rajhi Bank (1120.SE) and a 0.7% drop in top lender Saudi National Bank (1180.SE).

The kingdom has amended its rules on imports from other Gulf Cooperation Council countries to exclude goods made in free zones or using Israeli input from preferential tariff concessions, in a bid to challenge the United Arab Emirates' status as the region's trade and business hub. read more

The UAE and Saudi Arabia clashed this month over how OPEC+ producers unwind oil output cuts. Discussions were abandoned after a third day of talks on Monday failed to resolve differences. read more

The Qatari benchmark (.QSI), however, gained 0.8%, ending two days of losses, with petrochemical firm Industries Qatar (IQCD.QA) rising 1.6%.

Dubai's main share index (.DFMGI) reversed early losses to finish flat, as declines in property shares were offset by gains in banking stocks.

Emaar Properties (EMAR.DU), Dubai's largest listed developer, retreated 2.2%, while its unit Emaar Malls (EMAA.DU) dropped 2%.

Emaar Properties expects to buy out minority shareholders of Emaar Malls and delist the business by year-end. read more

In Abu Dhabi, the index (.ADI) eased 0.2%, with the country's largest lender First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB.AD) and telecoms firm Etisalat (ETISALAT.AD) losing 0.5% each.

But International Holding (IHC) (IHC.AD) ended 0.2% higher, gaining for an eighth consecutive session.

The winning streak started with the listing of its unit Alpha Dhabi (ALPHADHABI.AD) last week, sparking a share price rise that made IHC Abu Dhabi's most valuable listed company. read more

Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30) rebounded 1.2%, as most of the stocks on the index were in positive territory including Commercial International Bank (COMI.CA).