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Asian shares were buoyant on Monday following strong U.S payrolls data and better-than-expected Chinese trade data on Friday.
The MSCIs broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.4 percent, staying well above a recent two-month trough of 542.27 points.
Major Gulf stock markets rose on Sunday in line with strength in global bourses at the end of last week, with Saudi Arabia and Egypt leading.
The Saudi index rose 0.8 percent points to 7,145, bouncing for a second straight day from technical support around 7,000 points in very heavy trade.
Egypt's index ended a four-day losing streak, climbing 0.7 percent, but trading volume remained light.
Dubai's index came off early highs to end just 0.1 percent higher while Abu Dhabi's index climbed 0.4 percent on the back of a 4.4 percent gain by Dana Gas.
In currencies, the dollar was steady in early Asian trade on Monday, underpinned by expectations of higher U.S. interest rates.
The dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of six major rival currencies, was steady at 93.885.
In commodities, oil prices fell on Monday as last weeks rise in the U.S. rig count pointed to a further increase in American production that could undermine OPEC-led efforts to tighten markets.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $57.14 a barrel at 0418 GMT, down 22 cents, or 0.4 percent, from their last settlement.
Brent crude futures, the international benchmark for oil prices, were down 25 cents, or 0.4 percent, at $63.15 a barrel.
Gold prices were steady early on Monday, holding above a four-month low hit last week, amid a firm dollar.
In other news, Egypt's core inflation fell to 25.54 percent year-on-year in November from 30.53 percent in October, the central bank said on Sunday.
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ZAWYA 2017
The MSCIs broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.4 percent, staying well above a recent two-month trough of 542.27 points.
Major Gulf stock markets rose on Sunday in line with strength in global bourses at the end of last week, with Saudi Arabia and Egypt leading.
The Saudi index rose 0.8 percent points to 7,145, bouncing for a second straight day from technical support around 7,000 points in very heavy trade.
Egypt's index ended a four-day losing streak, climbing 0.7 percent, but trading volume remained light.
Dubai's index came off early highs to end just 0.1 percent higher while Abu Dhabi's index climbed 0.4 percent on the back of a 4.4 percent gain by Dana Gas.
In currencies, the dollar was steady in early Asian trade on Monday, underpinned by expectations of higher U.S. interest rates.
The dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of six major rival currencies, was steady at 93.885.
In commodities, oil prices fell on Monday as last weeks rise in the U.S. rig count pointed to a further increase in American production that could undermine OPEC-led efforts to tighten markets.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $57.14 a barrel at 0418 GMT, down 22 cents, or 0.4 percent, from their last settlement.
Brent crude futures, the international benchmark for oil prices, were down 25 cents, or 0.4 percent, at $63.15 a barrel.
Gold prices were steady early on Monday, holding above a four-month low hit last week, amid a firm dollar.
In other news, Egypt's core inflation fell to 25.54 percent year-on-year in November from 30.53 percent in October, the central bank said on Sunday.
For access to market moving insight, subscribe to the Trading Middle East newsletter by clicking here
ZAWYA 2017
