Mideast Stocks: Most Gulf markets gains as financial shares rise

Mideast Stocks: Most Gulf markets gains as financial shares rise

Most stock markets in the Gulf ended higher on Monday, largely led by gains in financial shares.Saudi Arabia's benchmark index, however, bucked the trend, ending flat, with petrochemicals and some financial shares moving sideways. Al Rajhi Bank though added 0.5% and Riyad Bank gained 1.7%.Shares in the United Arab Emirates - which signed an agreement with Israel on Thursday to normalize diplomatic relations - extended gains from the previous session.Dubai's main share index rose 1%, boosted by a 4.5% jump in Emirates NBD Bank (ENBD), extending gains for a fifth session.On Thursday, the lender said it was in preliminary discussions with Lebanon's Blom Bank about acquiring a stake in Blom Bank Egypt. Arabtec Holding, by contrast, dropped 4.9%.The United Arab Emirates' largest listed contractor swung to a loss in the first