{
  "id": 7800341,
  "title": "Most Gulf markets fall as regional risks escalate; Saudi flat on supply-reassurance reports",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/most-gulf-markets-fall-as-regional-risks-escalate-saudi-flat-on",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-16T14:14:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40439784/most-gulf-markets-fall-as-regional-risks-escalate-saudi-flat-on-supply-reassurance-reports"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Across the Gulf, markets experienced a decline on Wednesday due to growing concerns over regional instability. Saudi Arabia's stock exchange remained unchanged as reports of additional oil shipments via Oman helped alleviate fears of potential Middle East supply disruptions. The kingdom's military conducted airstrikes in Yemen, while the Houthis retaliated with drone and missile attacks on Saudi cities. Riyadh claimed to have shot down a Houthi drone near Mecca, but the Houthis denied targeting the holy city, labeling the claim as propaganda.\n\nSaudi Arabia's benchmark index closed flat, with Saudi Aramco increasing by 0.6%. The country is providing extra crude shipments to Asian refiners via ship-to-ship transfers off Oman's Sohar port after a key pipeline was damaged by Houthi drone strikes. The number of vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz remained low, with only four recorded on Tuesday compared to seven the previous day.\n\nIn contrast, Qatar's index fell 1.4%, while all its constituents were down, including Qatar Islamic Bank, which dropped 2.4%. Abu Dhabi's index edged down 0.2%. Dubai's benchmark index rose 0.7%, with most sectors advancing. Emaar Properties, a major developer, gained 3.4% following the approval of a one-time special dividend of AED 4.4 billion ($1.2 billion), or AED 0.50 per share. The Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting concluded on Wednesday, with traders betting on a 94.5% chance of a rate hike, up from 33.1% a month ago.\n\nOutside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index declined 0.2%. Saudi Arabia's index remained steady at 10,780, while Abu Dhabi eased to 10,114, Dubai dropped to 10,114, Qatar fell to 9,638, Egypt dropped to 54,823, Bahrain remained flat at 1,930, Oman declined to 7,550, and Kuwait slipped 0.1% to 9,284.",
  "summary": "BENGALURU: Most Gulf markets fell on Wednesday as escalating regional risks kept investors cautious, while Saudi Arabia’s bourse was flat as reports of additional crude cargoes via Oman eased fears of wider Middle East supply disruptions. Saudi warplanes struck Yemen, while Houthis launched drones and missiles at Saudi cities, the Iran-backed group said on Wednesday, following a swift advance…",
  "key_points": [
    "Gulf markets decline amid regional instability concerns",
    "Saudi exchange flat on supply-reassurance reports",
    "Qatar index falls 1.4%, Abu Dhabi edges down 0.2%"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}