Mideast Stocks: Most Gulf Markets in Red As Israel-Iran Conflict Escalates

Most stock markets in the Gulf ended lower on Wednesday with investors exercising restraint due to fighting between Iran and Israel that entered a sixth day, sparking fears of potential regional instability.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's demand for unconditional surrender on Wednesday, as Iranians jammed the highways out of Tehran fleeing from intensified Israeli airstrikes.

Saudi Arabia's benchmark index declined 1.2%, weighed down by a 3.3% slide in ACWA Power Company and a 2% drop in Saudi Arabian Mining Company. 

Among other losers, Prince Waleed bin Talal-backed airline Flynas Company closed 3.4% lower in debut trade. Elsewhere, oil giant Saudi Aramco eased 0.3%.

 Additionally, investor uncertainty surrounding today's U.S. Federal Reserve meeting is contributing to the cautious mood, with most market participants expecting the central bank to hold interest rates steady, said Joseph Dahrieh, managing principal at Tickmill.

Dubai's main share index finished 1.2% lower, with blue-chip developer Emaar Properties losing 1.2%.

 In Abu Dhabi, the index was down 0.4%. Oil prices steadied, after a gain of 4% in the previous session, as markets weighed up the chance of supply disruptions from the Iran-Israel conflict and as they ponder a direct U.S. involvement. The Qatari index lost 0.6%, with Qatar Gas Transport Nakilat falling 3.8%.

Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index added 0.4%, helped by a 4.1% jump in Fawry for Banking Technology and Electronic Payment.

SAUDI ARABIA lost 1.2% to 10,591

Abu Dhabi down 0.4% to 9,496

Dubai dropped 1.2% to 5,306

QATAR fell 0.6% to 10,348

EGYPT rose 0.4% to 30,839

BAHRAIN declined 1.1% to 1,889

OMAN was flat at 4,520

KUWAIT retreated 1.6% to 8,544