Banking stocks have come under pressure in recent weeks from the Saudi central bank's decision to follow the US Federal Reserve in cutting interest rates, which analysts expect to squeeze lenders' profit margins. Qatar shares ended their losing run thanks to market heavyweight Industries Qatar's 4.3% jump after six sessions of declines..
"IQ went down so much last week that it became a compelling valuation despite the poor results," said Talal Samhouri, head of asset management at Amwal, adding that the index was also buoyed by gains on international markets. US and European stocks surged on Friday on expectations that the European Central Bank will cut interest rates, but the dollar pared gains against the euro after a newspaper report said the German government was prepared to take on new debt to provide economic stimulus. The Abu Dhabi market slipped 0.3%, with First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) dipping 0.8%. Kuwaiti stocks fell 1.7%, hurt by a 2.2% drop in Kuwait Finance House.