DUBAI: Major Middle Eastern stock markets ended mixed on Wednesday, in the absence of fresh factors to trade on, with financial shares boosting the Dubai index.

Dubai’s main share index closed up 0.9%, snapping three sessions of losses, buoyed by a 2.4% gain in Shariah-compliant lender Dubai Islamic Bank and a 1% gain in Emirates NBD Bank.

On Tuesday, payments processor Network International agreed to extend its shared services agreement with Emirates NBD.

The Abu Dhabi index slipped 0.2%, hurt by a 0.4% fall in the country’s largest lender First Abu Dhabi Bank and a 0.9% drop in Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank.

In Qatar, the index fell 0.6%, with Qatar National Bank, the Gulf’s largest lender, losing 0.9%, while Commercial Bank retreated 1.7%.

Egypt’s blue-chip index edged up 0.2%, helped by a 1.3% gain in Egypt Kuwait Holding.

Saudi Arabia was closed for a public holiday.—Reuters