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-Asia stocks listless as tough year ticks down  

* Oil rises as fuel demand holds up despite surge in Omicron cases  

* PRECIOUS-Gold holds above $1,800 as weak dollar checks yield pressure 

* MIDEAST STOCKS-Most Gulf bourses fall in line with global shares  

* Saudi king says kingdom concerned about Iran's 'lack of cooperation'  

* Saudi king says OPEC+ pact 'essential' for oil market stability  

* Kuwaiti candidate has widespread support for top OPEC job, sources say  

* PREVIEW-Saudi Arabia may set deep crude price cuts for Asia in February  

* TABLE-UAE's Fujairah oil inventory data for week ended Dec. 27  

 

EGYPT

* Egypt plans power plant share sale 

* Egypt's GASC buys 300,000 tonnes of wheat in tender  

* Egypt to increase price of subsidised sugar, says minister  

* Egyptian gas may reach Lebanon by end-Feb, Lebanese minister says  

 

SAUDI ARABIA

* Saudi CMA Approves Direct Listing Of Saudi Azm For Communication Shares In Parallel Market  

* Saudi CMA Approves Direct Listing Of Saudi Parts Center Company Shares In Parallel Market  

* CMA Approves Offering Of Arabian International Healthcare Holding Shares In Parallel Market  

* Saudi's CMA Approves IPO Of Al Nahdi Medical Shares  

* Saudi's CMA Approves IPO Of Saudi Home Loans Company Shares 

* Solutions By STC Signs A Number Of Contracts With Saudi Telecom Company  

* Knowledge Economic City Appoints Mohammad Abdulhameed Almubarak As CEO  

 

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

* UAE daily COVID-19 cases climb above 2,000  

* Dana Gas Receives $39 Million From Egypt In December  

 

KUWAIT

* Amar Finance And Leasing Appoints Mohammed Abdullah Al-Saad As CEO  

* Osoul Investment Completes Sale Of Unit Osoul House Real Estate 

* Kuwait's AAN Digital Services Appoints Nawaf Faisal Al-Abdullah Al-Hammadi As CEO 

 

OMAN

* Sohar International Appoints Hamood Abdullah Al Sawai As COO 

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