Mideast Stocks: Most Gulf markets rise as oil gains amid Iran war jitters
August 20, 2026-Dubai's benchmark index rebounded 0.4%
Most Gulf stock markets were higher in early trading on Thursday, as firmer oil prices provided support even as uncertainty over U.S.-Iran peace talks continued to weigh on sentiment. Oil prices, a key driver for Gulf equities, rose 1.5%, with Brent crude trading at $92.90 a barrel by 0632 GMT.
Saudi economy contracts 4.8% in Q2 as oil output slumps
August 19, 2026-Non-oil activity grew 0.6% in the quarter, while government activity rose 0.9%
Saudi Arabia's real gross domestic product contracted 4.8% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, said Al Rajhi Capital, a leading financial group in Saudi Arabia, citing flash estimates from the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), as a 24.7% decline in oil activity outweighed growth in non-oil activities and government output.
Kuwait's return to bond markets is a sign of resilience
August 19, 2026-The move shows confidence in the country's ability to withstand the war, helped by a strong financial position
Kuwait's return to the international bond markets late last month- when it issued $6 billion in a three-tranche deal – came as a surprise to many.
Qatar ETF net asset value dips to $109.6mln in H1 2026
August 5, 2026-- Net asset value drops by nearly 5% from the same period in 2025
Mideast Stocks: Major Gulf bourses mixed as investors await clarity on US-Iran talks
August 5, 2026-- Saudi Arabia's benchmark index added 0.3%
Major Gulf stock markets traded mixed early on Wednesday as investors awaited signs of progress to end the Iran war.
Mideast Stocks: Most Gulf markets gain as Trump holds off Iran strike
August 3, 2026-- Dubai's main share index gained 1%, with top lender Emirates NBD rising 1.9%
Most stock markets in the Gulf rose in early trade on Monday, after U.S. President Donald Trump paused a potential strike on Iran, raising hopes for a deal and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
STARTRADER expands AI offering with 31 New US Share & ETF CFDs in Semiconductors, Optical Networking & Nuclear
July 31, 2026-STARTRADER today announced the launch of 31 new US Share CFDs and ETF CFDs, available on the trading platform from August 3 and on the STARTRADER app from August 5, spanning semiconductors, AI infrastructure, optical networking, and nuclear.
Saudi economy shrinks for first time in three years
July 30, 2026--GDP down 4.8% in second quarter
Aramco output cuts dent oil activity
IMF praises Saudi economic 'agility'
Mideast Stocks: Gulf stocks gain as Iran war de-escalation hopes outweigh attacks on Saudi oil sites
July 27, 2026--Saudi Arabia's benchmark index rises to a two-week high
Gulf equities advanced in early trade on Monday as hopes of a diplomatic off-ramp in the U.S.-Iran war boosted risk appetite across the region, with investors largely looking past fresh Houthi attacks on Saudi oil facilities.
GCC corporates forecast to post lower 2026 profits amid logistics cost rise
July 23, 2026--Capital market debt issuance and capital expenditure are set to decline, according to S&P
Profits of most of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) corporates are forecast to decline by 2026-end due to higher logistics costs arising from the Middle East conflict, according to S&P Global Ratings.