DUBAI - Here are some factors that may affect Middle East stock markets on Wednesday. Reuters has not verified the press reports and does not vouch for their accuracy.

INTERNATIONAL/REGIONAL

* GLOBAL MARKETS-Asian shares hit a record high after Yellen calls for big spending 

* Oil extends gains on hopes of U.S. stimulus and crude stocks drawdown 

* MIDEAST STOCKS-Telecom stocks power UAE gains; Saudi declines 

* PRECIOUS-Gold gains as U.S. stimulus prospects weigh on dollar 

* U.S. exempts U.N., aid groups from effort to cut off Yemen's Houthis 

* Qatar's foreign minister wants Gulf Arab nations to talk with Iran -Bloomberg 

* OPEC 'cautiously optimistic' oil market will recover in 2021 

* India blames Saudi oil output cut for surge in oil prices 

* Qatar suspends WTO dispute with UAE as Gulf conflict thaws

* ANALYSIS-Saudi overtures to wary Biden team driven by worries over Iran, economy 

* Middle East Crude-Benchmarks rebound on demand; Asian crude, condensate fetch firm premiums 

EGYPT

* EGX Says Muhammad Faraj El Muhairby Reduces Stake In Real Estate Egyptian Consortium To 10.9% 

* Egypt's buoyant state enterprises leave private sector in the shade 

 

SAUDI ARABIA

* Riyad Bank Announces Intention To Issue Tier 2 Sukuk 

* Aramco to do 'heavy lifting' in Saudi fiscal adjustment -BofA 

 

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

* UAE energy min says sees start of oil market recovery in 2021

* ADNOC seeks partnerships with U.S. firms in unconventional oil in UAE 

* UAE's Mubadala says signed MOU with Siemens Energy to develop hydrogen, synthetic fuel production 

 

QATAR

* Qatar National Bank sells $1 billion in 5-year bonds - document 

* Masraf Al Rayan Reports FY Profit Of 2.18 Bln Riyals 

 

OMAN

* Oman Arab Bank Terminates CFO

 

BAHRAIN

* Bahrain hires banks for multi-tranche dollar bonds 

* Gulf Air Signs MoU With Ras Al Khaimah International Airport

 

KUWAIT

* Kuwait registers first cases of new virus variant 

(Compiled by Dubai newsroom) ((dubai.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com))