Most stock markets in the Gulf region declined today, amid investor concerns over the escalation of the war after U.S. forces launched attacks on Iranian military targets for the eleventh consecutive night. The main index in Dubai fell by 0.5%, affected by a drop of 1.7% in the share of Emirates NBD ahead of its second-quarter earnings announcement.

Saudi Stocks Rise

In Abu Dhabi, the index decreased by 0.1%, while the Saudi benchmark index rose by 0.7%, supported by a 2.8% increase in the share of National Commercial Bank. The Qatari index fell by 0.4% due to losses in the share of Qatar National Bank, the Bahraini index declined by 0.1%, and the Kuwaiti index also dropped by the same percentage, while the Omani index rose by 0.3%. Outside the Gulf region, the leading stock index in Egypt decreased by 0.1%.

Investor Caution

Economic experts clarified that the second-quarter earnings results may provide support, but investors are likely to remain cautious in the near term.

They pointed out that the Bab el-Mandeb Strait represents a second major source of risk alongside the Strait of Hormuz, increasing concerns over energy flows in the region, noting that any escalation could lead to higher shipping costs, push crude oil risk premiums up, and fuel global inflationary pressures.

Most stock markets in the Gulf region declined today, amid investor concerns over the escalation of the war after U.S. forces launched attacks on Iranian military targets for the eleventh consecutive night. The main index in Dubai fell by 0.5%, affected by a drop of 1.7% in the share of "Emirates NBD" ahead of its second-quarter earnings announcement.

Saudi Stocks Rise

In Abu Dhabi, the index decreased by 0.1%, while the Saudi benchmark index rose by 0.7%, supported by a 2.8% increase in the share of "National Commercial Bank". The Qatari index fell by 0.4% due to losses in the share of "Qatar National Bank", the Bahraini index declined by 0.1%, and the Kuwaiti index also dropped by the same percentage, while the Omani index rose by 0.3%. Outside the Gulf region, the leading stock index in Egypt decreased by 0.1%.

Investor Caution

Economic experts clarified that the second-quarter earnings results may provide support, but investors are likely to remain cautious in the near term.

They pointed out that the Bab el-Mandeb Strait represents a second major source of risk alongside the Strait of Hormuz, increasing concerns over energy flows in the region, noting that any escalation could lead to higher shipping costs, push crude oil risk premiums up, and fuel global inflationary pressures.