Major stock markets in the Gulf ended higher on Sunday, boosting investor morale as earnings season in the region heated up, although a decline in oil prices weighed on sentiment.
Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI), opens new tab edged 0.1% higher, with aluminium product manufacturer Al Taiseer Group (4143.SE), opens new tab rising 0.3% and Al Rajhi Bank (1120.SE), opens new tab closing 0.7% higher.
Among other gainers, Saudi Arabian Amiantit (2160.SE), opens new tab advanced 5.2% after the pipe manufacturer swung to a quarterly profit of 5.1 million riyals ($1.36 million), from a loss of 10.1 million riyals a year earlier.
Elsewhere, Saudi Tadawul Group (1111.SE), opens new tab - the owner of the Saudi Exchange - gained 1.8%, following a sharp rise in quarterly profit.
On the other hand, Sahara International Petrochemical (2310.SE), opens new tab eased 0.7% after reporting a fall in quarterly net profit.
In Qatar, the index (.QSI), opens new tab added 0.3%, with petrochemical maker Industries Qatar (IQCD.QA), opens new tab putting on 1.1%.
However, Qatar International Islamic Bank (QIIB.QA), opens new tab retreated 1.3%, ahead of its earnings release.
Oil prices - a catalyst for the Gulf's financial markets - settled more than $2 per barrel lower on Friday at their lowest level since mid-June as investors eyed a possible ceasefire in Gaza, while a strengthened dollar drove values down further.
Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30), opens new tab finished 0.5% higher, with top lender Commercial International Bank Egypt (COMI.CA), opens new tab rising 1%.
Egypt will halt load-shedding power cuts during the summer as of Sunday, after some natural gas shipments arrived, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Wednesday, in a bid to end a crisis that inconvenienced a population of 106 million.
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