Most stock markets in the Gulf ended lower on Tuesday as investors awaited clarity on U.S. threats of reciprocal tariffs, set to take effect early next month.

On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump said automobile tariffs are coming soon, but also indicated that not all of his threatened levies would be imposed on April 2, suggesting some degree of flexibility on the matter.

Trump's tariff policies are widely expected to contribute to slowing global economic growth, trigger further trade tensions, and could drive up inflation.

Saudi Arabia's benchmark index <.TASI> dropped 0.6%, hit by a 1.6% fall in Al Rajhi Bank <1120.SE> and a 3.7% decrease in Saudi Arabian Mining Company <1211.SE>.

The Saudi bourse continued its uncertain movements at its support level. While sector performance remained mixed, the energy market showed signs of a recovery, following similar movements in oil prices during recent sessions, said George Pavel general manager at Naga.com Middle East.

"This recovery could potentially boost overall market sentiment if sustained."

Oil prices - a catalyst for the Gulf's financial markets - rose on Tuesday for a fifth day on expectations that global supply may tighten after the U.S. announced tariffs on countries that buy Venezuelan crude, although OPEC+ plans to go ahead with an output hike in May limited gains.

Oil giant Saudi Aramco <2222.SE> gained 0.6%.

In Abu Dhabi, the index <.FTFADGI> eased 0.3%, with Multiply Group <MULTIPLY.AD> retreating 4.2%. The index was little changed at closing in the last two sessions and down in the two trading days before that.

The rebound in oil prices may eventually have a beneficial effect on the Abu Dhabi market, said Pavel.

Dubai's main share index <.DFMGI>, however, finished flat.

The Qatari benchmark <.QSI> declined 0.3%, with petrochemical maker Industries Qatar <IQCD.QA> losing 1.2%.

Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index <.EGX30> closed 0.2% lower, weighed down by a 0.2% fall in Commercial International Bank <COMI.CA>.

SAUDI ARABIA

<.TASI> fell 0.6% to 11,706

Abu Dhabi

<.FTFADGI> lost 0.3% to 9,342

Dubai

<.DFMGI> was flat at 5,117

QATAR

<.QSI> down 0.3% to 10,158

EGYPT

<.EGX30> lost 0.2% to 31,762

BAHRAIN

<.BAX> gained 0.3% to 1,957

OMAN

<.MSX30> rose 0.5% to 4,408

KUWAIT

<.BKP> added 0.7% to 8,691

(Reporting by Ateeq Shariff in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel)