• Dubai’s main share index added 0.1% Published October 5, 2026 Updated about 12 hours ago Most Gulf markets closed higher on Monday as easing energy disruption fears and tempered expectations of an immediate Federal Reserve rate hike bolstered sentiment, while the Middle East war continued to simmer. Cooling US jobs data and sharp downward payroll revisions slashed the odds of a Fed rate hike this month from 64% to under 20%, according to the CME FedWatch tool, though traders still anticipate a December move. Gulf markets tend to track shifts in US monetary policy expectations as most regional currencies are pegged to the dollar. Middle East crude exports surpassed levels seen before the start of the US-Iran war on four days in late September, shipping data showed on Monday, defying continued vessel attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. Release of oil stocks by the Group of Seven nations further boosted supplies. Dubai’s main share index added 0.1%, with utility firm Dubai Electricity and Water Authority advancing 3.8%. In Abu Dhabi, the index was up 0.4%. The UAE’s non-oil private sector saw strong growth in September, supported by firmer demand, which strengthened pricing power of businesses and led to the steepest increase in selling prices in more than 15 years, according to a survey released on Monday. The Qatari index advanced 1.1%, led by a 1.2% increase in the Gulf’s biggest lender Qatar National Bank . Milad Azar, market analyst at XTB MENA, said most GCC equity…