U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalation Drags Down Gulf Stock Markets, Qatar's QE Index Falls 0.8%

Odaily reported that Qatar's stock market led the decline among most major Gulf markets, extending a recent downturn. This follows the largest escalation of conflict between the United States and Iran since the two sides reached a 60-day peace agreement last month.

A new report from the International Monetary Fund shows that Qatar is the commodity-producing country most directly affected by disruptions to energy output and transportation. Qatar's QE Index fell 0.8%, Saudi Arabia's benchmark index fell 0.4%, and the Dubai Financial Market General Index fell 0.2%.