Most stock markets in the Gulf ended lower on Tuesday with investors cautious due to fighting between Iran and Israel that entered a fifth day, sparking fears of potential regional instability.
U.S. President Donald Trump, returning early from the G7 summit in Canada on Monday night, urged Iranians to evacuate Tehran. Iranian media reported explosions and heavy air defence fire in Tehran, and air raid sirens sounded in Tel Aviv in response to Iranian missiles.
Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI), opens new tab dropped 1.4%, weighed down by a 1% fall in Al Rajhi Bank (1120.SE), opens new tab and a 1.3% decline by oil behemoth Saudi Aramco (2222.SE), opens new tab.
Dubai's main share index (.DFMGI), opens new tab finished 0.6% lower, hit by a 1.2% fall in top lender Emirates NBD (ENBD.DU), opens new tab.
Investors are also watching for details from the U.S. Federal Reserve meeting scheduled to start later in the day, with a decision expected on Wednesday.
Traders are currently pricing in two cuts by the end of the year.
In Abu Dhabi, the index (.FTFADGI), opens new tab fell 0.5%.
The Iran-Israel conflict, meanwhile, drove oil prices higher, though major oil and gas infrastructure and flows have so far been spared from substantial impact.
The Qatari benchmark (.QSI), opens new tab lost 0.5%, with the Gulf's biggest lender Qatar National Bank (QNBK.QA), opens new tab retreating 0.8%.
Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30), opens new tab declined 1%, dragged down by a 4.7% tumble in investment bank EFG Holding (HRHO.CA), opens new tab.
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