Monday, 4 November 2024

Most Gulf markets in red on regional tensions | Reuters

Most Gulf markets in red on regional tensions | Reuters


Most stock markets in the Gulf ended lower on Monday after a report suggesting Iran might be preparing a retaliatory strike on Israel unnerved investors.

The United States has warned Iran against launching another attack on Israel, adding Washington will not be able to restrain Israel if it attacks again, Axios reported on Saturday, citing a U.S. official and a former Israeli official.

Axios previously reported Israeli intelligence suggests Iran is preparing to attack Israel from Iraqi territory in the coming days.

Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI), opens new tab eased 0.1%, with aluminium products manufacturer Al Taiseer Group (4143.SE), opens new tab falling 0.2% and ACWA Power Company (2082.SE), opens new tab dropping 2.2%.

Dubai's main share index (.DFMGI), opens new tab dropped 0.8%, with blue-chip developer Emaar Properties (EMAR.DU), opens new tab losing 0.8% and Tecom Group (TECOM.DU), opens new tab retreating 2.2%.

The Abu Dhabi index (.FTFADGI), opens new tab finished 0.2% lower.

Investors were also wary of the decision by OPEC+, which includes the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries plus Russia and other allies, to delay plans to increase crude output by a month.

On Sunday, OPEC+ said it would extend its output cut of 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd) for another month in December, with an increase already delayed from October because of falling prices and weak demand.

Lower prices and disruptions to crude exports impact fiscal balances in countries reliant on oil income.

In Qatar, the index (.QSI), opens new tab gained 0.4%, with Qatar Islamic Bank (QISB.QA), opens new tab rising 0.9% and telecom firm Ooredoo (ORDS.QA), opens new tab advanced 1.8%.

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has set Tuesday as the date for a referendum on constitutional amendments, including a proposal that would abandon an effort to introduce elections.

Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30), opens new tab lost 0.6%, hit by a 1% fall in Commercial International Bank (COMI.CA), opens new tab, despite the lender reporting a steep rise in third-quarter profit.

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