Mideast Stocks: Saudi stocks gain on rising oil prices; Qatar falls

Mideast Stocks: Saudi stocks gain on rising oil prices; Qatar falls

Saudi Arabia's stock market rose in early trade on Thursday amid rising oil prices, while Qatari shares extended losses from the previous session.

Crude oil prices, a key catalyst for the Gulf's financial markets, gained around $1 as investor sentiment improved on news that China was considering a cut in the quarantine duration for inbound visitors.

China, the world's largest crude oil importer, has stuck to its strict COVID-19 curbs this year, disrupting business and economic activity and thus hitting fuel demand.

The benchmark stock index in Saudi Arabia advanced 0.8%, led by a 1.3% rise in Al Rajhi Bank and a 3% increase in Riyad Bank.

Among other gainers, Saudi Aramco was up 0.6%, following a Bloomberg News report that the oil giant was pushing ahead with plans for an initial public offering of its energy-trading business by the end of this year or in early 2023.

No final decisions have been made and the IPO could be delayed or cancelled if market conditions worsen, the report added.

Dubai's main share index added 0.2%, helped by a 1.2% gain in Emirates NBD Bank and an 8.4% surge in Deyaar Development.

Deyaar reported a surge in its third-quarter profit while revenues rose 72% on the back of