Stock markets in the UAE declined on Friday, as investors remained reluctant to place bets ahead of a crucial U.S. jobs report that could help shape expectations for the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate path.
Monetary policy shifts in the U.S. tend to have a significant impact on Gulf markets, where most currencies are pegged to the dollar.
Dubai’s main market closed 0.4% lower, snapping a week-long rally, on broadly negative sentiment.
Burj Khalifa Developer Emaar Properties slipped 1.7%, while tollgate operator Salik Company shed 1.1%.
Abu Dhabi’s benchmark index dropped 0.3%, extending losses from the previous session, with Adnoc Gas and Adnoc Drilling falling 1.4% and 1.9%, respectively.
Separately, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company has set the February official selling price of its benchmark Murban crude at $63.06 a barrel, it said on Friday, down from January’s OSP of $65.53 a barrel.
However, oil prices – a key catalyst for the Gulf’s financial markets – jumped on the day on concerns of potential disruption to Iran’s output and uncertainty about supply from Venezuela.
Brent crude was up 0.8% to $62.49 a barrel by 1130 GMT.
ABU DHABI | fell 0.4 to 10,475 points |
DUBAI | was down 0.4% to 6,226 points |
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