Mideast Stocks: Gulf bourses close mixed ahead of Powell testimony

Mideast Stocks: Gulf bourses close mixed ahead of Powell testimony

Stock markets in the Gulf ended mixed on Tuesday, as investors awaited U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's appearance before the Senate Banking Committee, hoping for cues on the timing of expected policy tightening. In Abu Dhabi, the index dropped 0.3%, extending losses for a sixth session, with Emirates Telecommunications Group losing 1.8%. Dubai's main share index retreated 0.7%, hit by a 0.8% fall in Emirates NBD Bank and a 2% decline in Dubai Investments . The Dubai stocks were down as risk appetite fell before the Fed's address, said Eman AlAyyaf, CEO of EA Trading'. "Overall, the main index remains on a positive trend as investors take all recent government initiatives into account." The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates said it expects the UAE economy to grow 4.2% in 2022, accelerating from last year's 2.1% growth. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index advanced 1.5%, buoyed by a 2.9% jump in Al Rajhi Bank . Saudi Arabian renewable energy utility ACWA Power International jumped more than 6%, reaching its highest since its market debut in October, after it obtained commercial operation certificate to begin the first phase of Dubai-based Noor Energy 1 project. Oil prices gained after two days of