March 27 Reuters Major Gulf markets opened mixed on Monday, mirroring gains in oil prices as investors pin their hopes on modest interest rate hikes amid governments39; efforts to soothe fears over the global banking system.

Most Gulf currencies are pegged to the U.S. dollar, with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar usually mirroring monetary policy changes in the United States.

Oil prices a key catalyst for Gulf financial markets rose on Monday, with Brent crude futures jumping 77 cents, or 1.03, to 75.76 a barrel, as of 0731 GMT.

Saudi Arabia39;s benchmark stock index rose 0.5, its third positive day in a row, boosted by gains in almost all sectors, led by financial and real estate stocks.

Saudi National Bank, the country39;s largest lender by assets, jumped 1.9 as it appointed Chief Executive Saeed Mohammed Al Ghamdi as the bank39;s chairman, replacing Abdul Wahed Al Khudairy.

The board also appointed Talal Ahmed Al Khereiji as acting CEO, with all changes effective March 27.

However, Sabic AgriNutrients, which was trading exdividend, recorded its sharpest intraday decline in over three years, falling more than 8.

The Qatari Stock index edged up 0.1, extending gains to a fourth consecutive session, as most banking stocks were trading in the positive territory.

Lender Masraf Al Rayan and index heavyweights Qatar Commercial Bank advanced 1.4 and 0.8, respectively.

Dubai39;s benchmark stock index fell 0.8, extending losses to a second consecutive…