Most stock markets in the Gulf ended higher on Thursday ahead of key U.S. inflation data, due later in the day, that will offer clues on the Federal Reserve's timeline for monetary policy easing.
Investors are looking at the U.S. Consumer Price Index report (CPI) where a soft print could lift rate-cut bets for March. CME's FedWatch Tool is currently showing a 66% chance of a cut.
Monetary policy in the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is usually guided by Fed policy because most regional currencies are pegged to the U.S. dollar.
The Qatari benchmark (.QSI) edged 0.2% higher, supported by a 4.3% leap in Qatar Navigation (QNNC.QA).
In Abu Dhabi, the index (.FTADGI) closed 0.5% higher, with the United Arab Emirates' biggest lender, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB.AD) advanced 2.5%, rising for the fifth consecutive session.
Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) gave up early gains to finish 0.2% lower, falling for a fourth consecutive session, weighed down by a 3.7% slide in insurance firm Tawuniya (8010.SE).
Separately, the kingdom launched new residency programs to attract skilled professionals and investment as the Gulf country forges ahead with its plan to pivot its economy away from fossil fuels.
Dubai's main share index (.DFMGI), dropped 0.3% retreating from a three-month high hit in the previous session, driven down by a 1.5% fall in blue-chip developer Emaar Properties (EMAR.DU).
Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30) added 0.2%, with Commercial International Bank (COMI.CA) rising 0.6%.
Egypt's annual core inflation eased to 34.2% in December from 35.9% in November, central bank data showed on Wednesday.
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