Mideast Stocks: Most Gulf markets rise; Industries Qatar boosts Qatar index

Mideast Stocks: Most Gulf markets rise; Industries Qatar boosts Qatar index

Major stock markets in the Gulf region rose in early trade on Monday, with the Qatari index boosted by gains in shares of Industries Qatar  after the petrochemicals firm bought a stake in Qatar Fertiliser Co (QAFCO).Saudi Arabia's benchmark index firmed 0.2%, with oil giant Saudi Aramco gaining 0.3%, while Al Rajhi Bank was up 0.2%.Aramco said on Sunday it was setting up a new corporate development organisation to oversee the company's assets and secure greater access to growth markets and technologies. Qatar's index added 0.8%, as Industries Qatar surged 6.5%, reaching its highest level since May, after the petrochemical maker bought Qatar Petroleum's 25% stake in QAFCO for $1 billion.In Dubai, which traded after a session's break, the index gained 1.1%, with blue-chip developer Emaar Properties rising 2.4% and