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Saudi bourse increases on STC gains; Dubai index down

Gulf stock markets started Tuesday on a positive note, with a lot of indexes rising, led by the Saudi index that was boosted by gains in Saudi Telecom Business.

Nevertheless, the Dubai index stood apart as an exception, defying the local upward pattern.

Saudi Arabia's benchmark index gained 0.5%, led by a. 0.8% increase in Al Rajhi Bank, while Saudi Telecom. Company (STC) jumped 4%.

STC Group, the kingdom's largest telecoms operator, on. Tuesday said it won a contract worth 32.64 billion riyals ($ 8.70. billion) from a government entity to construct, operate and provide. telecoms infrastructure services.

The kingdom's Capital Market Authority (CMA) on Monday stated. foreign investors will be permitted to purchase Saudi-listed. property companies running in Mecca and Medina from Jan. 27.

Jabal Omar Development Business, a real estate firm. based out of Mecca, advanced 4.1%, on course to increase for a 3rd. successive session.

In Abu Dhabi, the index added 0.2%.

Oil rates - a catalyst for the Gulf's monetary markets -. ticked up but hovered near a two-week low on Tuesday after weak. financial data from China and warming weather forecasts elsewhere. soured the demand outlook.

The Qatari criteria was up 0.1%, assisted by a 0.7%. increase in the Gulf's biggest loan provider Qatar National Bank.

Dubai's main share index fell 0.3%, hit by a 2.9%. drop in Emaar Advancement and a 0.7% decrease in. spending plan airliner Air Arabia.

(source: Reuters)