Oil prices and shipping risks remain the biggest market drivers

Gulf stock markets closed mixed as investors continued assessing the economic impact of prolonged disruption around the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions. Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index fell 0.2%, Dubai slipped 0.2%, while Abu Dhabi gained 0.3% as energy and logistics stocks provided some support. Reuters reported that weaker oil-demand forecasts from OPEC and the IEA also weighed on regional sentiment.

Source

Reuters – 14 August 2026