Tuesday 15 October 2024

Most Gulf markets gain ahead of earnings | Reuters

Most Gulf markets gain ahead of earnings | Reuters


Most stock markets in the Gulf ended higher on Tuesday as investors shifted focus to third-quarter earnings despite softening oil prices and simmering geopolitical tensions in the region.

Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI), opens new tab reversed early losses to close 0.5% higher, with aluminium products manufacturer Al Taiseer Group (4143.SE), opens new tab and the country's biggest lender Saudi National Bank (1180.SE), opens new tab both gaining 1.5%.

On the other hand, oil behemoth Saudi Aramco (2222.SE), opens new tab was down 0.2%.

Oil prices - a catalyst for the Gulf's financial markets - tumbled more than 4% to a near two-week low due to a weaker demand outlook and after a media report said Israel is willing to not strike Iranian oil targets, easing fears of a supply disruption.

The kingdom's annual inflation rate edged up to 1.7% in September from 1.6% in August, government data showed on Tuesday, with increases in housing rents the main driver once again.

Dubai's main share index (.DFMGI), opens new tab rose 0.3%, rising for a fourth consecutive session, with blue-chip developer Emaar Properties (EMAR.DU), opens new tab advancing 1.8%.

In Abu Dhabi, the index (.FTFADGI), opens new tab fell 0.2%, weighed down by a 1.3% slide in Emirates Telecommunication Group (EAND.AD), opens new tab.

The telecoms group and Amazon Web Services have entered into over a $1 billion agreement as part of new strategic alliance.

The Qatari benchmark (.QSI), opens new tab jumped 1.6%, as almost all its constituents were in positive territory, including the Gulf's biggest lender Qatar National Bank (QNBK.QA), opens new tab, which was up 1.8%.

Qatar will hold a rare referendum for citizens to vote on a set of constitutional amendments, including a proposal that would abandon an effort to introduce elections, the Gulf Arab state's emir said on Tuesday.

Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30), opens new tab finished 1% higher.

Egypt's central bank will keep its overnight interest rates on hold when its monetary policy committee meets on Thursday following two months of accelerating inflation, a poll of analysts predicted on Monday.

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