DUBAI, Jan 22 (Reuters) - Weak fourth-quarter earnings at several major Saudi Arabian companies may pull down stocks in that market on Sunday, while other Gulf markets may have a moderately firm tone after oil prices and global equities ended last week on a strong note.

Savola Group 2050.SE , Saudi Arabia's largest food products company, swung to a net loss of 964.3 million riyals ($257.2 million) in the three months to the end of December from a profit of 515.3 million riyals a year ago.

The company said it did not plan to pay quarterly dividends in 2017, attributing the profit drop to lower gross profits, higher financial charges, and non-recurring items booked during the quarter. Analysts polled by Reuters had on average forecast Savola would make a quarterly profit of 53.6 million riyals. ID:nL5N1F95KC

Several banks also missed estimates, partly because of rises in provisions for credit losses in a weak Saudi economy. ID:nL5N1F95Z6

Alawwal Bank 1040.SE swung to a net loss of 249.3 million riyals from a net profit of 451.3 million riyals; Alistithmar Capital and EFG Hermes had forecast a profit of 330.5 million and 438.0 million riyals.

Saudi British Bank 1060.SE posted a 35 percent drop in fourth-quarter net profit, Banque Saudi Fransi 1050.SE reported a 61 percent drop, and Samba Financial Group 1090.SE reported a 12 percent fall. All three missed analysts' forecasts.

(Reporting by Andrew Torchia) ((andrew.torchia@thomsonreuters.com; +9715 6681 7277; Reuters Messaging: andrew.torchia.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))