DUBAI - Here are some factors that may affect Middle East stock markets on Thursday. Reuters has not verified the press reports and does not vouch for their accuracy.

INTERNATIONAL/REGIONAL

* GLOBAL MARKETS-Stocks shuffle higher with a wary eye on Evergrande  

* Oil mixed, but solid U.S. demand underpins sentiment 

* PRECIOUS-Gold gains ground as weaker dollar lends support  

* MIDEAST STOCKS-Aramex drives Dubai bourse higher, Saudi at 15-year high  

* Damascus bomb kills 14, then army shells fall on rebel area kill 12 

* U.S., European officials to discuss Iran on Friday in Paris -sources 

* POLL-Gulf economies to pick up speed next year, with fall in oil prices biggest risk  

* Kuwait's emir launches process for amnesty pardoning dissidents 

* UK foreign minister to discuss infrastructure in developing world in Gulf visit  

* Abu Dhabi crown prince, Syrian president discuss developments in Syria -WAM  

 

EGYPT

* Fitch Affirms Egypt at 'B+'; Outlook Stable  

* E-finance rises 40% after pricing Egypt's largest IPO since 2015  

 

SAUDI ARABIA

* Saudi energy minister sees demand from gas-to-oil switch at up to 600,000 bpd  

* Sadafco Qtrly Profit Falls 

* Energy crisis is wake up call for more investment, forum hears 

 

 

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

* Abu Dhabi wealth fund to lead GoTo's pre-IPO funding with $400 mln 

* French express parcel firm Geopost acquires 20.15% stake in Dubai's Aramex 

* Fertiglobe sets mid-range IPO price, gross proceeds of around $795 mln 

* Emirates NBD Q3 net profit surges as retail finance demand surges 

 

QATAR

* Qatar Energy says it is committed to being trusted energy supplier for India 

 

KUWAIT

* Kuwait's efforts on political gridlock give hope for strained finances - IMF 

* Kuwait lifts COVID-19 restrictions for vaccinated people, says PM 

* Kuwait Finance House Qtrly Profit Rises 

*

 

BAHRAIN

* Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE reiterate support for Bahrain's fiscal programme 

 

(Compiled by Dubai newsroom) ((dubai.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com))