DUBAI: Major stock markets in the Gulf ended mixed on Sunday, with the Abu Dhabi index retreating from the previous session's record highs. GCC markets evolved in different directions as doubts around oil market developments and international economic growth contrasted with strong local fundamentals, said Wael Makarem, senior market strategist at Exness.
On Friday, world shares fell after a week of mixed economic data and fears over the stability of growth and Asian markets put the focus on the US Federal Reserve's timeline for tapering asset purchases.
In Abu Dhabi, the index declined 1%, dragged down by a 2.5% fall in the country's largest lender First Abu Dhabi Bank and a 1.5% decrease in Emirates Telecommunications Group.
However, Alpha Dhabi Holding finished 0.4% higher, following acquisition of an additional 31.5% of Pure Health Medical Supplies.
The United Arab Emirates central bank sees increased risks of illicit financial flows emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, including money-laundering and terrorism financing, it said in a report published on Sunday.
The bank identified fraud risks linked to the pandemic such as companies or individuals submitting false claims to qualify for government stimulus support measures.
The report comes as the central bank steps up efforts to combat illicit financial flows.
Saudi Arabia's benchmark index eased 0.2%, with Al Rajhi Bank and Saudi National Bank, the kingdom's largest lender, both dropping 1% each.
Oil prices, a key catalyst for the Gulf region's financial markets, fell on Friday as energy companies in the US Gulf of Mexico restarted production after back-to-back hurricanes in the region shut output.
Dubai's main share index added 0.2%, helped by a 0.7% increase in Emirates NBD Bank and a 0.2% gain in sharia-compliant lender Dubai Islamic Bank.
Elsewhere, the Qatari benchmark gained 0.4%.
Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index dropped 1%, extending losses from the previous session.
Meanwhile, Egypt's central bank kept its key interest rates on hold for a seventh consecutive time during its monetary policy committee (MPC) meeting on Thursday, the bank said in a statement.
SAUDI ARABIA fell 0.2% to 11,398
ABU DHABI dropped 1% to 7,808
DUBAI rose 0.2% to 2,906
QATAR gained 0.4% to 11,224
EGYPT lost 1% to 10,890
BAHRAIN added 0.4% to 1,687
OMAN up 0.2% to 3,942
KUWAIT was flat at 7,509.
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