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26 March
MIDEAST STOCKS-Gulf bourses mixed in early trade

March 26 (Reuters) - Stock markets in the Gulf put in a mixed performance in early trade on Tuesday, as investors assessed the likely path of interest rates from the U.S. Federal Reserve ahead of key inflation data due later in the week.

Saudi Arabia's benchmark stock index .TASI advanced 0.2%, supported by gains in most sectors, with Saudi Awwal Bank 1060.SE rising 1.5% and Mouwasat Medical 4002.SE up 6%.

Among other gainers, Seera Group 1810.SE climbed 4.3%, the sharpest intraday rise in more than two months.

The hospitality and travel services provider Seera posted a full-year net profit of 265 million riyals ($70.66 million) compared with a loss of 46 million riyals a year earlier, recording strong booking volumes and revenues.

In Abu Dhabi, the benchmark stock index .FTFADGI was up 0.1%, with Abu Dhabi National Energy Co TAQA.AD gaining 1.5% and the UAE's largest lender First Abu Dhabi Bank FAB.AD adding 0.7%.

Dubai's benchmark stock index .DFMGI edged up 0.1%, aided by gains in industry, finance, consumer discretionary and real estate sectors, with tolls operator Salik Company SALIK.DU climbing 1.1% and Dubai Islamic Bank DISB.DU adding 0.5%.

The Qatari benchmark index .QSI eased 0.2%, weighed down by losses in most sectors, with Masraf Al Rayan MARK.QA dropping 4.7% and Qatar Navigation QNNC.QA sliding 1.1%.

However, Qatar National Bank, the region's largest lender, gained 0.8%.

The crucial February reading of the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, the Fed's preferred inflation gauge, is due on Friday. A hot reading for the PCE index could dent market optimism around early rate cuts.

Most Gulf currencies are pegged to the dollar, and any U.S. monetary policy change is usually mimicked by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

($1 = 3.7503 riyals)

(Reporting by Md Manzer Hussain; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala)

((MdManzer.Hussain@thomsonreuters.com;))

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