Mideast Stocks: Gulf markets upbeat despite volatile oil, economic gloom

Mideast Stocks: Gulf markets upbeat despite volatile oil, economic gloom

Most major Gulf markets extended their gains on Tuesday despite a gloomy global economic outlook and volatile oil prices, although Dubai fell.

Equity markets around the globe have been bruised by inflation worries, a tightening Fed policy and volatility on energy markets, whipped up by war in Ukraine and a price cap on Russian oil. Crude prices, which strongly influence Gulf financial markets, swung wildly in 2022 and are expected to be under pressure in 2023.

A Reuters poll on Friday showed 30 economists and analysts forecast Brent crude will average $89.37 a barrel in 2023, about 4.6% lower than the $93.65 consensus in a November survey.

The global benchmark averaged $99 per barrel in 2022. Farah Mourad, Senior Market Analyst of XTB MENA said the Gulf stock markets were mostly seeing positive performances, but the outlook for energy markets was uncertain given geopolitical tensions in Europe and China COVID-19 restrictions.

A survey on Tuesday found that growth in Saudi Arabia's non-oil business activity shrank to a three-month low in December, although higher sales and strong demand ensured firms remained confident for the coming year. The seasonally-adjusted Riyad Bank Saudi Arabia Purchasing Managers' Index fell to 56.9 in December from 58.5 in November. It