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-Shares drop as China consulate closure fans Sino-U.S. tensions 

* Oil ticks up, but gains capped by demand destruction 

* MIDEAST STOCKS-Kuwait falls on broad-based losses, property shares hit Dubai 

* PRECIOUS-Gold slips as investors book profit, holds on to near 9-year high

* Pandemic hit to haj saddens would-be pilgrims 

* Gulf firms to delay investments due to oil, coronavirus shocks - S&P 

* Middle East Crude- Benchmarks fall; Upper Zakum, ESPO soften

 

SAUDI ARABIA

* Saudi Arabia to widen privatisation scope, finance minister 

* Saudi wealth fund PIF has ample liquidity - finance minister 

* Saudi July data promising for recovery, many uncertainties remain - finance minister 

* Saudi Telecom Q2 Profit Falls 

 

 

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

* UAE's Oman Insurance Q2 Profit Rises

* Prayers for Eid al-Adha will be at home in UAE

* Dubai's Mashreqbank Q2 Profit Falls

* Sharjah Islamic Bank Q2 Profit Falls

* UAE's ADNOC and ADQ form JV to invest in chemical projects

* Finablr Appoints Skadden To Lead Investigation Into Co

* UAE's migrant workers fret over future in coronavirus economy

 

QATAR

* Qatar International Islamic Bank H1 Profit Rises

* Qatar National Cement H1 Profit Falls

* Qatar Airways seeks $5 bln compensation from Arab bloc over airspace ban

 

BAHRAIN

* Bahrain's BBK H1 Profit Falls

 

KUWAIT

* Kuwait ruler leaves the country to complete medical treatment in the U.S

* Ooredoo Kuwait Posts Q2 Loss

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