Major stock markets in the Gulf were little changed in early trade on Tuesday, with the Saudi index - which reopened after a five session break for the Muslim festival of Eid Al Fitr - on course to gain for a fifth session.

Saudi Arabia's benchmark index gained 0.3%, with Retal Urban Development Co rising 0.7% and oil giant Saudi Aramco putting on 1.2%.

Dubai's main share index eased 0.1%, hit by a 1.2% slide in Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation .

In Abu Dhabi, the index added 0.1%, with Abu Dhabi Ports Co advancing 2.5% after the group's Maqta Gateway acquired TTEK Inc for $26.7 million.

Oil prices - a key catalyst for the Gulf's financial markets - held steady as investors weighed strong holiday travel in China that could boost fuel demand against the prospect of rising interest rates elsewhere, slowing economic growth.

A weaker U.S. dollar can help global demand for oil by making it cheaper for holders of foreign currencies in other countries.

** Qatar was closed for a public holdiday

(Reporting by Ateeq Shariff in Bengaluru; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)