Most Gulf shares rise on strong oil; Mideast conflict in focus

Most stock markets in the Gulf rose on Thursday, tracking higher oil prices, while traders kept an eye on the conflict between Palestinian militants and Israel, reports Reuters.
Oil prices - a key catalyst for the Gulf's financial market - climbed 1.44 per cent on speculation that US interest rates may have peaked, with Brent trading at $87.09 a barrel at 1230 GMT.
The Qatari index was up for a third straight session, advancing 1 per cent as most of its stocks rose. Qatar Islamic Bank surged 1.7 per cent and Industries Qatar climbed 1.1 per cent.
Qatar National Bank (QNB), the biggest Gulf bank by assets, gained 0.7 per cent.
Saudi Arabia's benchmark index edged up 0.1 per cent, supported by gains in most sectors, with oil major Saudi Aramco adding 0.5 per cent and Company for Cooperative Insurance surging 3.7 per cent.
Dubai's benchmark index ended 0.6 per cent lower, dragged down by losses in all sectors with Emaar Properties dropping 1.4 per cent and Tecom Group sliding 1.8 per cent.
In Abu Dhabi, the benchmark index was down 0.6, with Multiply Group falling 1.8 per cent and conglomerate Alpha Dhabi declining 1.5 per cent.
Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index rose 1.7 per cent, lifted by a 7.8 per cent climb in El Sewedy Electric Co and a 16 per cent surge in Alexandria Container and Cargo Handling Company.