Adedokun Waliyu 
Most Gulf stock markets rose on Sunday against a backdrop of rising oil prices on improving economic indicators from China and the United States.
Oil prices, a catalyst for the Gulf’s financial markets, rose, opens new tab about 1% on Friday as stronger Chinese data added to recent U.S. indicators feeding optimism over global oil demand.
The Qatari benchmark index (.QSI), opens new tab was up 0.1%, supported by gains in most sectors, with Qatar Gas Transport (QGTS.QA), opens new tab rising 1.2% and Qatar Navigation (QNNC.QA), opens new tab up 2.2%.
Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund said on Friday that Qatar’s average economic growth was expected to be lifted to about 4.5% by a significant expansion of liquefied natural gas (LNG) production.
Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index (.TASI), opens new tab was little changed, with ACWA Power (2082.SE), opens new tab rising 3.4% and Saudi Aramco (2222.SE), opens new tab up 0.5%. State-owned oil giant Aramco said on Friday that it had signed preliminary agreements with U.S. companies for developing lower-carbon energy solutions.
However, Saudi National Bank (1180.SE), opens new tab and developer Makkah Construction (4100.SE), opens new tab slipped by 1.5% and 8% respectively.
Outside the Gulf, Egypt’s blue-chip index (.EGX30), opens new tab advanced for a second straight session to end 4.5% higher, with most of its constituents posting gains, led by industry and materials stocks.
Misr Fertilizers Production (MFPC.CA), opens new tab climbed 17.8% and El Sewedy Electric (SWDY.CA), opens new tab jumped by 20% after Egypt’s Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) said on Sunday that Electra Investment Holding had submitted an offer to acquire up to a 24.5% stake in El Sewedy at $1.05 per share.
