Most stock markets in the Gulf were subdued on Sunday after a report suggested Iran might be preparing a retaliatory strike on Israel from Iraqi territory in the coming days.
The U.S. has warned Iran against launching another attack on Israel, adding Washington will not be able to restrain Israel if it attacks again, Axios reported on Saturday, citing a U.S. official and a former Israeli official.
Axios previously reported that Israeli intelligence suggests Iran is preparing to attack Israel from Iraqi territory in the coming days, possibly before the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 5.
Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI), opens new tab edged 0.2% higher, helped by a 3.2% rise in ACWA Power Company (2082.SE), opens new tab.
Among other gainers, MBC Group (4072.SE), opens new tab surged 10% - to its daily maximum limit - after Istedamah signed a binding share sale and purchase agreement with Public Investment Fund to sell its entire stake in the media giant MBC Group. In Qatar, the index (.QSI), opens new tab lost 0.2%, hit by a 0.5% fall in the Gulf's biggest lender Qatar National Bank (QNBK.QA), opens new tab.
Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30), opens new tab gained 0.6%, with Commercial International Bank (COMI.CA), opens new tab rising 1.3%.
The International Monetary Fund will begin its review of Egypt's loan programme on Tuesday, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Sunday at a press conference with IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva.
