Mideast Stocks: Gulf bourses close higher on hopes for US-Iran peace talks
15/04/2026 08:28
Adds closing prices, analyst commentary By Ateeq Shariff April 15 (Reuters) - Gulf stock markets ended higher on Wednesday, extending gains from the previous session, as hopes for renewed U.S.-Iran peace talks lifted investor sentiment. The optimism came even as Washington said on Wednesday that its military had fully halted sea trade to and from Iran, with investors remaining focused on signs that diplomatic engagement in the Middle East could continue. President Donald Trump said talks with Tehran to end the war could soon resume and potentially yield a deal, telling ABC News to watch for an "amazing two days." Adding to signs of continued diplomatic engagement was a statement by Iran's foreign ministry saying that a Pakistani delegation was highly likely to arrive in Tehran on Wednesday to relay U.S. messages as part of ongoing communication between Tehran and Washington. Dubai's main share index .DFMGI advanced 2.6%, buoyed by a 3.2% rise in blue-chip developer Emaar Properties EMAR.DU and a 2.5% increase in top lender Emirates NBD ENBD.DU. Budget airliner Air Arabia AIRA.DU jumped 6.5%. In Abu Dhabi, the index .FTFADGI concluded 0.5% higher, with Aldar Properties ALDAR.AD adding 0.6%. GCC equity markets extended gains as hopes for diplomatic progress and easing regional tensions improved sentiment, said Joseph Dahrieh, Managing Director at Tickmill. He added that solid domestic fundamentals and stronger confidence continued to support the rally, although markets remain vulnerable to any setback in the diplomatic outlook that could trigger fresh short-term volatility. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index .TASI climbed 0.9%, with Al Rajhi Bank 1120.SE rising 1%. Elsewhere, oil major Saudi Aramco 2222.SE closed 0.7% higher. Brent crude futures LCOc1 were up 71 cents, or 0.8%, to $95.50 a barrel after slumping nearly 5% overnight to below $100. O/R "From a medium-term perspective, elevated oil prices could remain a supportive factor, particularly if shipping disruptions ease," said Dahrieh. Separately, the International Monetary Fund said on Tuesday that growth in the Middle East and North Africa will slow sharply this year as oil exporters face fallout from the Iran war. The Qatari index .QSI rose 0.4%, led by a 1.4% rise in the Gulf's biggest lender Qatar National Bank QNBK.QA. The Gulf state denied any talks with Iran over payments to halt attacks, saying its demands were instead being conveyed through Pakistan and the United States, spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said. Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index .EGX30 rose 1.5%, with Commercial International Bank COMI.CA finishing 2.6% higher.
| Saudi Arabia | .TASI rose 0.9% to 11,589 |
| Abu Dhabi | .FTFADGI added 0.5% to 9,892 |
| Dubai | .DFMGI advanced 2.6% to 5,866 |
| Qatar | .QSI rose 0.4% to 10,734 |
| Egypt | .EGX30 climbed 1.5% to 50,733 |
| Bahrain | .BAX increased 0.7% to 1,925 |
| Oman | .MSX30 was up 0.9% to 8,316 |
| Kuwait | .BKP gained 0.7% to 9,371 |
Recent news on Commercial International Bank Egypt CIB
See all newsEgypt's Commercial International Bank's Kenya unit aims to triple market share in two years
Brief: EGX Changes Launch Date For Futures Contracts On CIB And TMG Holding To June 21
Brief: EGX To Launch Derivatives For CIB & TMG By 18 June
Mideast Stocks: Most Gulf markets surge on US-Iran peace deal expectations
Mideast Stocks: Gulf bourses fall as US-Iran uncertainty keeps investors cautious