Mideast Stocks: Most Gulf markets ease despite firmer oil prices

Commercial International Bank Egypt CIB

24/12/2025 13:29

Updates with closing prices

By Ateeq Shariff

Dec 24 (Reuters) - Most stock markets in the Gulf eased on Wednesday in thin trade, despite firmer oil prices, although crude is on track for its largest annual decline since 2020.

Oil prices, a catalyst for the Gulf's financial markets, rose for a sixth day, supported by robust U.S. growth data and the risk of supply disruptions from Venezuela and Russia.

Saudi Arabia's benchmark index .TASI dropped 0.5%, snapping four sessions of gains, with Al Rajhi Bank  1120.SE losing 0.9%.

Negative sentiment dominated the session, resulting in declines across most sectors, said XTB MENA analyst Milad Azar.

"Although the recent rebound in oil prices and expectations of two Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2026 initially boosted sentiment, crude oversupply concerns could continue to weigh on the market," Azar said.

Dubai's main share index .DFMGI finished flat, while Abu Dhabi's index .FTFADGI ended down 0.2%.

The Qatari benchmark .QSI edged 0.1% higher, with Qatar National Bank QNBK.QA, the Gulf's biggest lender by assets, up 0.5%.

U.S. economic data showed the world's largest economy recorded its strongest growth in two years during the third quarter, driven by solid consumer spending and a significant recovery in exports.

The report reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will not cut interest rates at its late-January meeting.

U.S. interest rate futures are now pricing in the Fed's first 2026 rate cut for June, with two 25-basis-point reductions anticipated for the whole of the year.

Monetary policy shifts in the U.S. have a significant impact on Gulf markets, where most currencies are pegged to the dollar.

Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index .EGX30 was up 0.2%, with Commercial International Bank  COMI.CA gaining 0.9%.

On Tuesday, the International Monetary Fund said it had reached a staff-level agreement with Egypt on the fifth and sixth reviews of its Extended Fund Facility, a step that could pave the way for about $2.5 billion in programme disbursements.

Saudi Arabia
.TASI fell 0.5% to 10,541
Abu Dhabi
.FTFADGI dropped 0.2% to 10,038
Dubai
.DFMGI was flat at 6,164
Qatar
.QSI closed 0.1% up at 10,824
Egypt
.EGX30 rose 0.2% to 41,508
Bahrain
.BAX eased 0.1% to 2,064
Oman
.MSX30 lost 0.1% to 5,945
Kuwait
.BKP dropped 0.3% to 9,579

 (Reporting by Ateeq Shariff in Bengaluru. Editing by Alexander Smith and Mark Potter)

 ((AteeqUr.Shariff@thomsonreuters.com; +918061822788))