Page 18 - Qa News Today

Major stock markets in the Gulf were mixed in early trade on Wednesday, ahead of an expected U.S. interest rate hike later in the day, while the Qatari index advanced on broad-based gains.

Most stock markets in the Gulf ended lower on Wednesday, ahead of an expected Federal Reserve interest rate hike later in the day, with the Saudi index registering its biggest intraday fall in nearly two months.

The Qatar Central Bank said on Wednesday that it will continue with the current interest rates for the deposit, lending, and repo rates after assessing current monetary requirements.

Qatar's central bank said it increased its deposit, lending and repo rates by 25 basis points effective May 4, a statement said on Wednesday.

The United Nations will stay in Afghanistan to deliver aid to millions of desperate Afghans despite the Taliban's restrictions on its female staff, but funding is drying up, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Tuesday.

Asia's imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) fell in April as major buyers China and Japan trimmed purchases, offsetting small gains among South Asian countries.

Major stock markets in the Gulf were mixed in early trade on Tuesday as investors await this week's interest rate decision by the U.S. Federal Reserve.

Most stock markets in the Gulf fell on Tuesday with the U.S. Federal Reserve set to begin a two-day meeting at which it is expected to decide to raise interest rates by another 25 basis points.

Most major stock markets in the Gulf fell in early trade on Monday, dragged lower by expectations the Federal Reserve will increase interest rates, although the Qatari index bucked the trend.

Qatar Airways could expand its number of destinations to 190 from 177 currently under plans for rapid growth, but its ability to do so depends on the delivery of additional aircraft, the Gulf carrier's chief executive said on Monday.