Feb 13 Reuters Major stock markets in the Gulf rose in early trade on Tuesday, ahead of a key U.S. inflation report that could help shape the Federal Reserve39;s rates outlook.

Investor attention this week will be on crucial reports on January39;s U.S. Consumer Price Index CPI, due later in the day, and the Producer Price Index, scheduled to be released on Friday.

Monetary policy in the sixmember Gulf Cooperation Council is usually guided by Fed policy because most regional currencies are pegged to the U.S. dollar.

Saudi Arabia39;s benchmark index gained 0.4, driven by a 1.5 rise in Al Rajhi Bank and a 1.2 increase in the country39;s biggest lender Saudi National Bank.

Elsewhere, oil behemoth Saudi Aramco advanced 1.

Aramco has started trading a U.S. crude oil grade that underpins the global Brent benchmark in a process run by oilindex publisher SP Global Commodity Insights, the publisher said on Monday.

In Abu Dhabi, the index inched 0.1 higher, on course to snap two sessions of losses.

Oil prices a catalyst for the Gulf39;s financial markets  rose slightly on fears Middle East tensions could disrupt supply, but uncertainty about the pace of potential U.S. interest rate cuts and the ensuing impact on fuel demand capped gains.

Dubai39;s main share index gained 0.3, with Mashreqbank rising 2.8.

The Qatari benchmark increased 0.5, led by an 8.3 jump in Qatar Gas Transport Nakilat, on track to rise for a third consecutive session.

On Saturday, QatarEnergy said it…