Most Gulf bourses turn south as Ukraine crisis deepens

Updated 22 Feb, 2022

Most stock markets in the Gulf fell in early trade on Tuesday, tracking global shares, as tensions between Russia and Ukraine escalated after Moscow ordered troops into two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine.

Moscow's move drew international condemnation and US officials said Washington in coordination with allies is planning to announce new sanctions on Russia.

US President Joe Biden has issued an executive order to halt US business activity in the breakaway regions and ban import of all goods from those areas.

Dubai's main share index dropped 1.1%, as most of the stocks in the index were in negative territory including bluechip developer Emaar Properties, which retreated 2.2%.

Gulf bourses end mixed, Saudi Aramco hits record high

The United Arab Emirates' Interior Ministry extended on Monday a decision to ground all private drones and light sports aircraft used for recreational purposes until further notice, state news agency WAM said.

The ministry's original decision was announced in January, following a deadly attack on the UAE by Yemen's Houthis.

In Abu Dhabi, the index eased 0.1%, hit by a 0.3% fall in the country's largest lender First Abu Dhabi Bank.

On the other hand, crude prices jumped more than $2 on supply disruption worries as tensions between top energy exporter Russia and Ukraine escalated.

The Qatari index dropped 0.5%, weighed down by a 1% fall in Islamic lender Masraf Al Rayan.

The Saudi Arabian market was closed for a public holiday on Tuesday.

Read Comments