Nov 2 Reuters Most stock markets in the Gulf ended higher on Thursday as risk appetite returned to financial markets after the U.S. Federal Reserve kept benchmark interest rates the main driver of world borrowing costs on hold.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell39;s comments that its aggressive 20month run of rate increases was likely to slow the economy after what he had described as the outsized jump in Q3 U.S. GDP, was the main takeaway for many analysts, although he had been careful to keep the door open to another hike if needed.

Most Gulf Cooperation Council countries, including the UAE, peg their currencies to the U.S. dollar and follow the Fed39;s policy moves closely.

Saudi Arabia39;s benchmark index rose 0.4, with Alinma Bank rising 2.8 and the kingdom39;s largest lender Saudi National Bank closing 2.9 higher.

Dubai39;s main share index added 0.5, with bluechip developer Emaar Properties hiking 1.5.

The Dubai stock market continued to see additional gains, extending its rebound. However, the main index remains well below its peak and could remain at risk, said George Khoury, Global Head of Education and Research at CFI.

Positive company earnings could help the market to continue recovering in addition to the Federal Reserve39;s decision to keep interest rates unchanged.

In Abu Dhabi, the index gained 0.6.

Oil a catalyst for the Gulf39;s financial markets gained 1 to snap its threeday decline, after Fed kept benchmark interest rates on hold.

The Qatari…