Major stock markets in the Gulf fell in early trade on Thursday, in line with Asian shares that slid on concerns about Chinese economy after a run of soft data.
A raft of manufacturing surveys suggested supply bottlenecks were tightening again with eight of nine Asian countries reporting longer delivery times.
Saudi Arabia's benchmark index eased 0.2%, with Saudi Telecom Company dropping 1.5% and Sabic Agri-Nutrients declining 1.4%.
Meanwhile, the kingdom is expected to cut prices for most crude grades it sells to Asia in October after Middle East benchmark Dubai weakened last month, a poll of six refiners showed.
Dubai's main share index retreated 0.4%, a day after closing at its highest in over 2 years, with Emirates NBD Bank falling 1.4%.
Elsewhere, Dubai's biggest listed property firm Emaar properties lost 0.5%, whereas its unit Emaar Malls, operator of glitzy Middle East shopping centres, decreased 1%. In the previous session, the duo finished higher.
Emaar Properties is weighing options to sell fashion e-commerce business Namshi that may include a listing abroad via a SPAC, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing three sources familiar with the matter.
An outright sale of Namshi may generate $600 million to $700 million in proceeds, while a listing through a special purpose acquisition company could be more lucrative.
In Abu Dhabi, the index dipped 0.2%, hit by a 0.7% fall in Emirates Telecommunication Group.
However, Abu Dhabi National Energy Company advanced 3.7%. On Wednesday, the energy firm said it could sell some or all of its oil and gas assets as part of a broader strategic review.
The Qatari index edged down 0.2%, pressured by a 0.8% fall in Qatar National Bank.
(Reporting by Ateeq Shariff in Bengaluru; editing by Uttaresh.V) ((AteeqUr.Shariff@thomsonreuters.com; +918061822788;))
