Stock markets in the Gulf put in a mixed performance on Sunday amid rising geopolitical tensions in the region, although the Saudi index extended gains on bets for further U.S. interest rate cuts.
Israel and Hezbollah exchanged heavy fire into Sunday, with Israeli warplanes carrying out the most intense bombardment in almost a year of conflict across Lebanon’s south and Hezbollah firing rockets deep into northern Israel.
The escalating attacks come less than 48 hours after an Israeli airstrike targeted Hezbollah commanders in a suburb of the Lebanese capital. The death toll from that strike had risen to 45, the Lebanese health ministry said on Sunday.
In Qatar, the share index eased 0.2%, with the Gulf’s biggest lender, Qatar National Bank, falling 0.8% and petrochemical maker Industries Qatar down 0.5%.
Gulf markets end mixed ahead of Fed rate decision
Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index rose 0.4%, with aluminium products manufacturer Al Taiseer Group up 1%.
The U.S. Federal Reserve cut its benchmark rate by 50 basis points (bps) on Wednesday and projected a further half-point rate cut by year-end, a full point next year and a half-point trim in 2026.
Monetary policy in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) often aligns with the Fed’s decisions as most regional currencies are pegged to the U.S. dollar.
Outside the Gulf, Egypt’s blue-chip index closed 0.3% higher, led by a 3.4% gain in EFG Holding.
Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Thursday that a planned Saudi Arabian investment of $5 billion in Egypt is independent of funds the Gulf state has deposited in the country’s central bank, sending bond prices higher.
SAUDI ARABIA rose 0.4% to 12,130
QATAR lost 0.2% to 10,439
EGYPT up 0.3% to 31,038
BAHRAIN was up 0.2% to 2,032
OMAN lost 0.4% to 4,709
KUWAIT dropped 0.4% to 7,758
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