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-Asian shares trade sideways as investors await fresh cues 

* MIDEAST STOCKS-Cement makers stir Saudi stock rally, Dubai slips

* PRECIOUS-Gold falls to 1-wk low as Fed ambiguity clouds rate-cut bets 

* Oil prices dip on record U.S. output, but global market tense 

* As Trump team prepares Mideast plan, Palestinians face financial crisis 

* Revenues boost Saudi Arabia's Q1 budget, expenditure up 8 pc

* Saudi-led coalition attacks air base adjoining Sanaa's airpor 

* Kuwait plan for northern mega city faces political hurdles

* Nations using oil "as a weapon" causing damage to OPEC -Iran oil minister 

* Istanbul election results divide Erdogan and nationalist allies 

* Central bank binge buying fuels red-hot gold demand - WGC 

 

 

SAUDI ARABIA

* Moody's Says Saudi Arabia's Debt Trend Will Improve Over Next 2-3 Yrs

* Saudi coast guard rescues Iranian oil ship in Red Sea, no injuries -SPA 

* Saudi's Petrorabigh Q1 Profit Falls

 

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

* Abu Dhabi lenders merge into ADCB Group as consolidation gathers pace

* Arab states support Sudan transition, want stability - UAE minister

* Average Dubai crude oil price in April rises to six-month high 

* Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala finalising $2 billion revolving loan -sources 

* UAE's Aramex Q1 Profit Rises 

* UAE's ADNOC launches 2nd exploration bid round for oil, gas blocks

* Abu Dhabi's ADNOC Distribution posts 6.6 pct jump in first-quarter profit

 

QATAR

* Qatar says tightening Iran sanctions harms oil consuming nations

* Qatar central bank sells 600 million riyals of t-bills -statement

 

KUWAIT

* POLL- MENA fund managers increase investments in Kuwait, UAE

 

OMAN

* Goal of June OPEC meeting to extend output cuts - Oman energy minister

* Reforms, fiscal consolidation key to ease concerns over Oman's debt – World Bank

 

BAHRAIN

* Bahrain responds frostily to French call for dialogue with opposition

* Eni signs offshore exploration and production deal with Bahrain

(Reporting By Dubai Newsroom) ((Dubai.Newsroom@thomsonreuters.com))