Most Gulf stock markets ended higher on Tuesday as investors awaited a slate of U.S. economic data this week that will feed into Federal Reserve monetary policy.
The week is filled with data releases particularly from the United States, which will be headlined by the December non-farm payrolls report on Friday.
Minutes of the Fed's latest meeting due on Wednesday will also offer colour on their dot-plot predictions, while there will be plenty of live comment with several top policymakers.
Fed decisions have a significant impact on the Gulf region's monetary policy as most of its currencies are pegged to the dollar.
Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI), opens new tab closed 0.1% higher, helped by a 1.8% rise in Saudi Telecom Company (7010.SE), opens new tab and a 1.1% increase in the country's biggest lender Saudi National Bank (1180.SE), opens new tab.
Elsewhere, Saudi healthcare provider Almoosa Health Co (4018.SE), opens new tab climbed 15% to 146 riyals per share on its debut against an offer price of 127 riyals.
The Saudi market continued its recovery, fuelled by banking sector growth and Almoosa's successful initial public offering debut, said Joseph Dahrieh, Managing Principal at Tickmill. Positive sentiment and upcoming fourth-quarter earnings results may drive further gains.
Dubai's main share index (.DFMGI), opens new tab gained 0.5%, finishing at its highest in more than a decade, with sharia-compliant lender Dubai Islamic Bank (DISB.DU), opens new tab climbing 3.1%.
In Abu Dhabi, the index (.FTFADGI), opens new tab inched 0.1% higher.
The United Arab Emirates' non-oil private sector expanded at its fastest pace in nine months in December, driven by strong demand and increased business activity, a survey showed on Monday.
The Qatari index (.QSI), opens new tab fell 0.3%, hit by a 0.7% fall in the Gulf's biggest lender, Qatar National Bank (QNBK.QA), opens new tab.
Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30), opens new tab dropped 0.8% as most of it constituents were in negative territory including tobacco monopoly Eastern Company (EAST.CA), opens new tab, which retreated 4.1%.
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