A trader looks on near electronic boards showing stock market data at Bahrain Bourse after Joe Biden won the U.S. presidency, in Manama, Bahrain, November 8, 2020. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo
Stock markets in the Gulf ended lower on Sunday in response to Friday’s fall in oil prices, although the Saudi index bucked the trend to trade higher.
Oil – a catalyst for the Gulf’s financial markets – fell on Friday as the release of some hostages in Gaza reduced the geopolitical risk premium.
In Qatar, the index (.QSI) dropped 0.7%, weighed down by a 1.5% fall in Qatar Islamic Bank (QISB.QA) and a 1.5% decrease in petrochemical maker Industries Qatar (IQCD.QA).
Outside the Gulf, Egypt’s blue-chip index (.EGX30) declined 0.8%, with top lender Commercial International Bank (COMI.CA) losing 2%.
Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index (.TASI) edged 0.1% higher, ending two sessions of losses, helped by a 1.2% rise in Elm Company (7203.SE).
OPEC+ has moved closer to a compromise with African oil producers on 2024 output levels, four OPEC+ sources told Reuters, after disagreements over those targets forced the group of oil-producing nations to postpone a key meeting.
The market is also waiting to see if Saudi Arabia extends its additional 1 million barrel per day (bpd) voluntary production cut, which is due to expire at the end of December.
Reporting by Ateeq Shariff in Bengaluru, Editing by Louise Heavens
