June 24 Reuters Stock markets in the Gulf put a mixed performance in early trading on Monday, as investors awaited a key U.S. inflation reading and comments from the Federal Reserve officials this week.

Dubai39;s benchmark stock index retreated from the previous session39;s gains and slipped 0.5, with most sectors in the red. The bluechip developer Emaar Properties dropped 1.5 and Dubai Islamic Bank slid 1.

The Abu Dhabi benchmark index fell marginally, with Emirate39;s largest developer Aldar Properties losing 1.3 while Multiply Group and Alef Education gained 2.1 and 4.3, respectively.

Saudi Arabia39;s benchmark stock index was up 0.1, lifted by gains in finance and industry stocks. Saudi National Bank, the kingdom39;s largest lender, rose 1.9 and ADES Holding added 1.6. However, ACWA Power and oil major Saudi Aramco slipped 2.5 and 0.5, respectively.

The Qatari benchmark index was up 0.2, helped by gains in most sectors, led by communications services and utilities and with Qatar Electricity and Water Co rising 1.1.

Ooredo advanced 1.5 after Nvidia signed a deal to deploy its artificial intelligence technology at data centres owned by the Qatari telecom group.

In the U.S., the personal consumption expenditures PCE price index is due on Friday. A soft data would likely reinforce market bets on a U.S. rate cut as early as September.

Most Gulf currencies are pegged to the dollar, and any U.S. monetary policy change is usually followed by Saudi Arabia, the United…