Gulf markets rise as Iran plays down Israel's strikes
By Ateeq Shariff
Oct 27 (Reuters) -Most stock markets in the Gulf ended higher on Sunday as fears of an all-out conflagration in the region eased after Iran played down Israel's strikes on military targets, saying the air attack had caused only limited damage.
The United States, which had pressed Israel to avoid targeting sensitive Iranian energy and nuclear sites, joined other countries in calling for a halt to the cycle of confrontation between Israel and Iran.
Saudi Arabia's benchmark index .TASI advanced 1.5%, ending three sessions of losses, led by a 3.6% jump in aluminium products manufacturer Al Taiseer Group 4143.SE.
Among other gainers, telecom firm Etihad Etisalat 7020.SE gained 2.2%, after reporting a net profit of 829 million riyals ($220.9 million), up from 524 million riyals a year ago.
In Qatar, the share index .QSI finished 1.5% higher, as all its constituents rose including petrochemical maker Industries Qatar IQCD.QA, which was up 1.7%.
Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index .EGX30 added 0.9%, with Commercial International Bank COMI.CA rising 2.5%.
While shares rose, crude prices are expected to fall when trading resumes on Monday because Israel's retaliatory weekend strike did not target Iranian oil and nuclear infrastructure or disrupt energy supplies, market analysts said.
In Doha on Sunday, the directors of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Israel's Mossad were due to meet Qatar's prime minister to begin negotiations for a new short-term Gaza ceasefire deal, an official briefed on the talks told Reuters.
SAUDI ARABIA | .TASI rose 1.5% to 12,069 |
QATAR | .QSI leapt 1.5% to 10,560 |
EGYPT | .EGX30 up 0.9% to 30,812 |
BAHRAIN | .BAX eased 0.1% to 2,001 |
OMAN | .MSX30 lost 0.3% to 4,811 |
KUWAIT | .BKP gained 1.8% to 7,594 |
($1 = 3.7536 riyals)
Reporting by Ateeq Shariff in Bengaluru;
Editing by Helen Popper
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