MIDEAST STOCKS-Most Gulf bourses gain ahead of US economic data

       By Ateeq Shariff
       Jan 6 (Reuters) - Most stock markets in the Gulf ended
higher on Monday as investors looked to minutes of the U.S.
Federal Reserve's most recent meeting and payrolls data due
later in the week for clues on the central bank's interest rate
path.
    Analysts expect U.S. December payrolls to have risen by
150,000, with unemployment holding at 4.2%. The data will be
released on Friday.
    Minutes of the Fed's December meeting due on Wednesday will
show whether its "dot plot" rate targets have shifted, while at
least seven top policymakers speak this week including
influential Fed Governor Christopher Waller.
    Fed decisions have a significant impact on the Gulf region's
monetary policy as most of its currencies are pegged to the U.S.
dollar.
    Saudi Arabia's benchmark index rose 0.3%, with the
country's biggest lender Saudi National Bank climbing
1.1% and Al Rajhi Bank closing 0.3% higher.
    Oil prices - a catalyst for the Gulf's financial markets -
steadied at their highest since mid-October as colder weather
spurred buying while further support came from expectations of
tighter sanctions on Iranian and Russian oil exports.
    Separately, Saudi Arabia is tapping global debt markets with
a planned three-part bond sale on Monday, fixed income news
service IFR reported, with proceeds expected to help cover its
budget deficit and pay down debt.
    Dubai's main share index advanced 1.3%, ending at
its highest in over 10 years, buoyed by a 4.9% surge in top
lender Emirates NBD.
    In Abu Dhabi, the index finished 1.1% higher.
    The United Arab Emirates' non-oil private sector expanded at
its fastest pace in nine months in December, driven by strong
demand and increased business activity, a survey showed on
Monday.
    Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index dropped
0.8%, ending a three-day winning streak, hit by a 4.1% slide in
tobacco monopoly Eastern Company (EML).

 SAUDI ARABIA          rose 0.3% to 12,105
 Abu Dhabi                up 1.1% to 9,428
 Dubai                  leapt 1.3% to 5,191
 QATAR                added 0.1% to 10,486
 EGYPT                  fell 0.8% to 29,930
 BAHRAIN              eased 0.1% to 1,979
 OMAN                   up 0.2% at 4,580
 KUWAIT               added 0.1% to 7,897

 (Reporting by Ateeq Shariff in Bengaluru. Editing by Mark
Potter)