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

INTERNATIONAL/REGIONAL

* GLOBAL MARKETS-Stocks mostly rise but Nasdaq falls; dollar backs off 2-week high  

* Oil ends little changed, U.S. oil inventories fall  

* PRECIOUS-Gold firms as U.S. yields ease, palladium hovers below record peak  

* MIDEAST STOCKS--Banks, petrochemicals weigh on Saudi; Agility boosts Kuwait  

* Saudi Arabia, Iran held talks more than once in Iraq - Iraqi president  

* Saudi Arabia considers barring overseas haj pilgrims for second year, sources say  

* Israel's president picks Netanyahu opponent Lapid to form government  

* Clashes in Jerusalem ahead of court case on Palestinians' eviction  

* Unlike Trump, Biden arms export policy strikes balance on human rights, economics 

* Ahead of Beirut visit, French minister threatens Lebanese politicians  

 

EGYPT

* Egypt to close stores, restaurants early for 2 weeks to curb COVID-19  

* Rival powers Turkey and Egypt try to mend ties after long rift  

* First Abu Dhabi Bank Completes Share Transfer Process For Acquisition Of Bank Audi (Egypt)  

 

SAUDI ARABIA

* Saudi Arabia cuts June crude oil official selling prices for Asia -sources  

* Banque Saudi Fransi Qtrly Profit Up 14.4%  

* Saudi Electricity Posts Qtrly Profit  

 

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

* TAQA in talks to buy power plants in Abu Dhabi, plans green bonds, says CFO  

* UAE likely to issue debut federal domestic bonds this year - Moody's  

* OCI confirms potential Abu Dhabi listing for fertilizer JV with ADNOC 

 

 

QATAR

* Parsons Awarded $114 Mln Contract By Qatar Public Works Authority To Improve Infrastructure  

 

KUWAIT

* Kuwait Investment Posts Q1 Profit  

* Kuwait Financial Centre Posts Q1 Profit  

 

BAHRAIN

* National Bank Of Bahrain Q1 Profit Rises  

* MEDIA-Bahrain says it may monetize oil assets, including pipelines  

 

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