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Gulf markets slide on US economic crisis worries, regional tensions

Significant stock exchange in the Gulf tumbled on Monday, tracking Asian shares lower on worries that the United States could be heading for recession, while concerns about a widening dispute in the region contributed to the worries.

The U.S. joblessness rate jumped to near a three-year high of 4.3% in July amid a substantial downturn in hiring, heightening fears the labor market was deteriorating and potentially making the economy susceptible to a recession.

The worryingly weak July payrolls report saw markets price in a 78% chance the Federal Reserve will not just cut rates in September, however ease by a full 50 basis points.

Saudi Arabia's benchmark index declined 3.1%,. dragged down by a 4.7% slide in aluminium products producer. Al Taiseer Group, while the country's most significant loan provider. Saudi National Bank pulled away 4% regardless of reporting a. increase in quarterly earnings.

The Qatari criteria fell 2.5%, with all its. constituents in negative area consisting of the Gulf's largest. loan provider by properties Qatar National Bank, which was down. 2.3%.

Israel and the United States are bracing for a serious. escalation in the area after Iran and its allies Hamas and. Hezbollah pledged to strike back versus Israel for the killings. of Hamas' leader Ismail Haniyeh and Fuad Shukr, a top military. commander from Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, recently.

Dubai's main share index dropped 4.2%, weighed down. by a 8.9% plunge in blue-chip designer Emaar Properties .

In Abu Dhabi, the index was down 2.7%.

Oil - a catalyst for the Gulf's monetary markets - extended. losses in a volatile session, as worries of an economic downturn in leading oil. consumer the United States offset supply concerns originating from. installing tensions in the Middle East, the world's biggest oil. producing area.

(source: Reuters)