DUBAI: Gulf equities ended mixed on Sunday, with stocks drifting in a tight range during a quiet trading session as investors sought clarity after US President Donald Trump escalated his global trade war.
Trump threatened on Saturday to impose a 30 percent tariff on imports from Mexico and the European Union, following the announcement of a 35 percent duty on Canadian imports, both starting Aug. 1.
He also proposed a blanket tariff rate of 15 percent-20 percent on other countries, an increase from the current 10 percent baseline rate.
Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index fell 0.2 percent, as mixed sector performance kept the market subdued ahead of key earnings.
Utilities heavyweight ACWA Power declined 2.4 percent as its rights issue offering ended.
Qatar’s benchmark index finished flat in a calm session, with telecom giant Vodafone Qatar gaining 1.2 percent.
Investors remained cautious as the US Federal Reserve is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged as it waits to see the impact of tariffs on price pressures.
With Gulf currencies pegged to the US dollar, the Fed’s decisions on interest rates impact the region’s monetary policy.
Outside the Gulf, Egypt’s blue-chip index dropped 0.8 percent, hit by a 1 percent fall in Commercial International Bank.
Egypt’s central bank kept key interest rates unchanged on Thursday, pausing a trend of rate reductions despite inflation rates easing.
