Most Gulf markets gain ahead of US inflation report

Most stock markets in the Gulf region edged higher in early trade on Thursday as investors awaited US inflation data, due later in the day, and further economic news this week, reports Reuters.

The US Federal Reserve will trim interest rates by 25 basis points at its Dec. 18 meeting, according to 90 per cent of economists polled by Reuters, with most expecting a rate-cut pause in late-January amid concerns over rising inflation risks.

News on Friday that the US job market continued to cool but remained relatively resilient solidified expectations that the Fed can afford to cut rates again before taking stock of the government policy early next year.