-- Shares in the United Arab Emirates kicked off the week higher as the FTSE ADX General Index added 0.320%, while the DFM General Index gained 0.226% at the close of Monday trading.
Investors will await the release of the UAE's S&P Global PMI data for April on Tuesday to get insights into the country's non-oil private sector activity. The metric dropped to 52.9 in March from 55 in February.
On the oil front, OPEC+ agreed to raise oil output in June by 188,000 barrels per day following the UAE's exit from the group and amid supply disruptions caused by the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
"The exit of OPEC's third-largest producer substantially weakens the organisation and raises questions over its survival as an effective cartel. As the UAE increases output outside OPEC, the group's share of global supply will decline, reducing its ability to manage prices. If the UAE successfully raises output and revenue outside the cartel, it could also undermine the value of membership for other producers with large reserves or ambitions to raise output, such as Venezuela," Oxford Economics said in a note.
On the corporate side, Adnoc Drilling (ADX:ADNOCDRILL) was the Abu Dhabi bourse's most traded by value and closed the session at 9.17% in the green. The offshore drilling company concluded the purchase of an 80% stake in the drilling and oilfield services joint venture MB Petroleum Services.
Dubai-listed Parkin Co. (DFM:PARKIN) secured a multi-year parking enforcement services deal from Emaar Properties (DFM:EMAAR) unit Emaar Mall Management. Parkin's stocks ended 1.54% lower while Emaar Properties closed the session 1.70% higher.
On the geopolitical front, US President Donald Trump launched "Project Freedom" to guide ships and crews safely out of the Strait of Hormuz, while also adding that his representatives are having "very positive" discussions with Iran.
"After a volatile week, the oil market is steadier as the market digests President Trump's plan to get vessels through the Strait of Hormuz," ING said. "Reports indicate that, for now, the plan won't involve the US Navy escorting vessels. Even if this allows vessels to leave the Persian Gulf, we're likely to see little inbound traffic. This would only amount to temporary relief, as floating storage leaves the Persian Gulf.