PHOTO
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-Stocks edge up as Biden spending plan boosts U.S. outlook
* Oil gains ahead of OPEC+ meeting on output policy
* MIDEAST STOCKS-Saudi shares outperform on $1.3 trillion private investment push
* PRECIOUS-Gold rebounds from three-week low as dollar rally pauses
* POLL-Rising U.S. yields a villain in EM FX growth story, sell-off likely by end-June
* COLUMN-Prolonged OPEC+ output cuts will confirm bearish outlook: Russell
* OPEC oil output rises in March, led by Iran - Reuters survey
* BREAKINGVIEWS-Capital Calls-Saudi Arabia adds new scratch to crown jewel
* Lloyd's of London sees 'large loss' due to Suez Canal blockage
* Iraqi parliament approves 2021 budget of $89 billion
* After inconclusive election, Netanyahu urges right-wing rivals to join him
* Hezbollah: Time to end deadlock and agree new Lebanese government
* Jailed Fatah leader shakes up Palestinian election by running rival candidates against his own party
* Israel plans to give Pfizer's COVID vaccine to adolescents upon FDA approval
* Yemen gets first COVID-19 vaccines but is "at the back of the queue"
EGYPT
* Investigator boards ship at start of probe into Suez Canal blockage
* Suez Canal chairman says losses from Ever Given blockage could reach $1 bln
* Egypt's cabinet sets wheat procurement price at 725 Egyptian pounds per ardeb
* Drugmaker Bausch to sell stake in Egypt's Amoun Pharma for $740 mln
* Egypt gets 854,400 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine -ministry
* Egypt's M2 money supply up 20.2% year-on-year in Feb. -central bank
SAUDI ARABIA
* Saudi Arabia's new private sector investment plans could dim allure for stocks
* Saudi Arabia's bourse invites banks to pitch for roles in its upcoming IPO - sources
* Saudi Aramco role in private investment drive guided by business not state, says CEO
* Iraq, Saudi Arabia sign five accords during Iraqi PM's visit to Riyadh - Saudi TV
* Saudi Arabia, Iraq to establish a $3 bln joint fund -joint statement
* Saudi unemployment falls to 12.6% in fourth quarter of 2020
* Saudi construction firm Binladin to propose restructuring terms to lenders
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
* Alpha Dhabi unit buys $953 mln stake in Aldar from Mubadala
* Average Dubai crude oil price rises in March to $64.414/bbl
* Dubai's DEWA signs $410 million water desalination agreement with Utico
QATAR
* Qatar's Ooredoo sells $1 billion in 10-year bonds
* Soccer-Amnesty calls on England to follow Netherlands, Germany in Qatar protest
* Qatar orders private health centres to halt non-urgent services
KUWAIT
* Kuwait cautiously optimistic that oil demand will improve - state news agency
OMAN
* Oman crude OSP rises to $64.43/bbl for May
BAHRAIN
* Bahrain's NOGA sells $600 million in 8-year Islamic bonds
(Compiled by Dubai newsroom) ((dubai.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com))