* Qatar's Barwa Real Estate surges after swing to Q4 profit

* But United Development falls on lower proposed dividend

* Energy companies support Abu Dhabi before earnings

* Strength in Emaar Properties lifts Dubai

* Juhayna Food continues soaring in Egypt

By Celine Aswad

DUBAI, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Qatar's stock market rose on Wednesday after a major real estate company swung to a fourth-quarter profit, while a drop in oil prices pulled Saudi Arabia down.

The Qatari index .QSI closed 0.7 percent higher as Barwa Real Estate BRES.QA surged 8.3 percent in its heaviest trade for 1-1/2 years. It posted a quarterly net profit of 108 million riyals ($29.7 million) versus a loss of 518 million riyals a year earlier; the board recommended a 2016 cash dividend of 2.5 riyals per share, higher than the 2.2 riyals proposed for 2015.

But United Development UDCD.QA dropped 3.0 percent after the board recommended a dividend for the year of 1.25 riyals, lower than 1.5 riyals for 2015. The firm reported a fourth-quarter net profit of 171.4 million riyals, an 81 percent jump.

Dubai's index .DFMGI added 0.2 percent, its fourth straight session of gains, with Emaar Properties EMAR.DU rising 1.5 percent and DXB Entertainments DXBE.DU adding 0.9 percent.

Energy companies in Abu Dhabi outperformed in the run-up to their fourth-quarter earnings announcements, which are expected on Thursday. Abu Dhabi National Energy TAQA.AD climbed 2.0 percent and Dana Gas DANA.AD gained 1.9 percent.

Saudi Arabia's index .TASI dropped 1.0 percent as Brent oil LCOc1 traded below $55 a barrel. All 14 listed petrochemical producers declined with Nama Chemicals 2210.SE , the worst performer in that sector, retreating 5.3 percent and Saudi Kayan 2350.SE losing 2.4 percent.

Banking shares were also weak with heavyweight Samba Financial Group 1090.SE dropping 3.2 percent.

Egypt's blue chip index .EGX30 rose 0.8 percent to 13,228 points but closed far off the day's high of 13,411 points. It faces technical resistance on its record high of 13,544 points, hit last month.

Juhayna Food Industries JUFO.CA jumped 9.2 percent to 7.83 Egyptian pounds, bringing its gains over the past three days to 34.5 percent. Arabian Food Industries DOMT.CA added 5.3 percent.

The food sector came under heavy pressure after the float of the Egyptian pound on Nov. 3 as currency depreciation inflated costs of imported raw materials and rising inflation hit consumer purchasing power. But traders said some investors were now giving the sector a second look.

Hady Medhat, a food industry analyst at Naeem Brokerage, said Juhayna was a standout in the sector because of its healthy gross margins.

"Juhayna stocked up on inventories of raw materials when the pound was trading around 13.5 per U.S. dollar and is well hedged up to at least the third quarter of 2017," he said, adding that the company's decision to increase product prices since last April was working in its favour.



WEDNESDAY'S HIGHLIGHTS



SAUDI ARABIA



* The index .TASI fell 1.0 percent to 6,967 points.



DUBAI



* The index .DFMGI added 0.2 percent to 3,726 points.



ABU DHABI



* The index .ADI rose 0.6 percent to 4,574 points.



QATAR



* The index .QSI climbed 0.7 percent to 10,654 points.



EGYPT



* The index .EGX30 rose 0.8 percent to 13,228 points.



KUWAIT



* The index .KSWE added 1.1 percent to 6,656 points.



OMAN



* The index .MSI edged up 0.1 percent to 5,828 points.



BAHRAIN



* The index .BAX flat at 1,310 points. (Editing by Andrew Torchia) ((celine.aswad@thomsonreuters.com)(+9715 662 7653)(Reuters Messaging: celine.aswad.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))