Factors to watch – December 26

DUBAI, Dec 26 (Reuters) – Here are some factors that may affect Middle East stock markets on Sunday. Reuters has not verified the press reports and does not vouch for their accuracy.

INTERNATIONAL/REGIONAL

* GLOBAL MARKETS-Fading Omicron concerns set up shares for weekly gain, dent dollar

* Oil prices ease, focus shifts to next OPEC+ move

* PRECIOUS-Gold clings around $1,800 as holiday lull sets in read more

* MIDEAST STOCKS-Most Gulf markets end higher as Omicron fears recede read more

* Houthi projectile kills two in Saudi city of Jazan – Saudi state media read more

* Iran says war games in Gulf were warning to Israel read more

* COVID-19 infections rise again across Gulf states read more

* U.S. airlines scrap hundreds of Christmas Day flights due to Omicron read more

* Western powers say Libya’s interim government still valid read more

* Turkish lira caps historic week with big lift from Erdogan [government read more

EGYPT

* Egypt’s Petroleum Corporation signs $1 bln oil-exploration agreement with Eni read more

* Egypt’s fuel subsidy bill falls almost 90% in four years, says PM read more

* Egypt’s c.bank extends measures to ease pandemic impact to June

* Fawry Announces Plans For Establishing Consumer Finance Company, Fawry Consumer Finance

SAUDI ARABIA

* Jared Kushner investment firm Affinity raises $3 billion in committed funding read more

* Jabal Omar Development Revises Offer To Manager Of Alinma Makkah Real Estate Fund

* SABIC Agri-Nutrients Reaches Deal With SABIC On Cash Adjustment In Acquisition Of SANIC

* Aramco Trading signs fuel deal with Australia’s United Petroleum read more

* Saudi British Bank Signs Agreement To Sell Entire Stake In Wataniya Insurance

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

* Emirates NBD Says Controlling Interest In Dubai Bank Transferred To Eradah Capital

* Mubadala Signs Deal With G42 To Establish Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Campus – Mubadala on Twitter

QATAR

* BREAKINGVIEWS-Qatar’s World Cup will pay Gulf-wide dividends read more

KUWAIT

* Gulf Petroleum Investment Signs Exculsive Franchise Agreement With A Turkish Company

* Kuwait mandates third COVID-19 vaccine for citizens who wish to travel – KUNA read more

Compiled by Dubai newsroom

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