Stock markets in the Gulf put in a mixed performance in early trade on Tuesday, as investors assessed the likely path of interest rates from the U.S. Federal Reserve ahead of key inflation data due later in the week.
Saudi Arabia's benchmark stock index (.TASI), opens new tab advanced 0.2%, supported by gains in most sectors, with Saudi Awwal Bank (1060.SE), opens new tab rising 1.5% and Mouwasat Medical (4002.SE), opens new tab up 6%. Among other gainers, Seera Group (1810.SE), opens new tab climbed 4.3%, the sharpest intraday rise in more than two months.
The hospitality and travel services provider Seera posted a full-year net profit of 265 million riyals ($70.66 million) compared with a loss of 46 million riyals a year earlier, recording strong booking volumes and revenues.
In Abu Dhabi, the benchmark stock index (.FTFADGI), opens new tab was up 0.1%, with Abu Dhabi National Energy Co (TAQA.AD), opens new tab gaining 1.5% and the UAE's largest lender First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB.AD), opens new tab adding 0.7%.
Dubai's benchmark stock index (.DFMGI), opens new tab edged up 0.1%, aided by gains in industry, finance, consumer discretionary and real estate sectors, with tolls operator Salik Company (SALIK.DU), opens new tab climbing 1.1% and Dubai Islamic Bank (DISB.DU), opens new tab adding 0.5%.
The Qatari benchmark index (.QSI), opens new tab eased 0.2%, weighed down by losses in most sectors, with Masraf Al Rayan (MARK.QA), opens new tab dropping 4.7% and Qatar Navigation (QNNC.QA), opens new tab sliding 1.1%.
The crucial February reading of the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, the Fed's preferred inflation gauge, is due on Friday. A hot reading for the PCE index could dent market optimism around early rate cuts. Most Gulf currencies are pegged to the dollar, and any U.S. monetary policy change is usually mimicked by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
