Stock markets in the United Arab Emirate were fickle Sunday, with shares in developer Arabtec lifting Dubai’s index, while shares on the Abu Dhabi bourse dropped, as banks stocks weighed on the main gauge.

The Dubai benchmark stock index, DFMGI, soared 1.7%, its best daily gains in eight sessions, closing at 4843.35, a fresh six year-high, bolstered by shares in Arabtec, while other blue-chips stocks came under selling-pressures.

“Arabtec served as the most contributor to market’s rally in Dubai Sunday, while other large-caps stocks in banking and real estate sector were hit by profit-taking,” said Nedal Khouly, head of gulf research in Nemma Investment.

Arabtec Holding, announce on Saturday the appointment of Paolo Bigi as Chief Operating Officer, Arabtec international, Oil & Gas. Paolo will be reporting to Arabtec Holding’s Managing Director and CEO, Hasan Ismaik.

As part of his new role, Paolo will be responsible for management of Arabtec projects in the energy sector worldwide, as part of the Company’s strategy for expansion into the energy sector to further drive revenues, said the developer in a press release.

Shares in Arabtec soared 4.29%, its best daily gain since April 8, lifting the real estate sector index 1.79%, alongside with Drake&Skull which climbed 1.71%, while heavyweight Emaar lost 0.49% on profit-taking.

The banking sector index ticked up 0.73%, on the back of Emirates NBD gaining 2.75%, and Dubai Islamic Bank advancing 0.15%.

“We could see a profit-taking streak badly affecting the market on Monday, with most of retail investors tend to book gains,” said Nabil Hyder, head of gulf research in Al madina Investment.

Mazaya was the best performer Sunday, soaring 14.71%, while IFA was the worst, shedding 4.49%.

Deyyar was the most active by volume, with its share’s price jumping 3.77%, while Arabtec was the most active by value.

Turnover hit AED 1.5 billion, through the trade of 610.34 million shares.

Elsewhere, shares on the Abu Dhabi bourse came under selling pressure Sunday, while heavyweight Aldar bucked the downtrend, limiting the market’s losses.

ADX, the main benchmark stock index, shed 0.33%, reversing its intraday uptrend, smacked by blue-chips stocks in the banking sector.

The index closed at 5139.75 points, off its multi-year high, the index touched on April 10.

“Banks stocks were the main drag in Abu Dhabi Sunday, especially ADCB, NBAD, and FGB, while Aldar’s gains limited the market’s losses,” said Rami Sidani, head of research for MENA region at Schroders.

The banking sector index lost 1.31%, with heavyweight Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, First Gulf Bank, and National Bank of Abu Dhabi, losing 3.26%, 1.7%, and 1.66% in a row.

Meanwhile, the real estate sector index gained 3.26%, with Aldar jumping 4.26%, its best daily gain since April 6.

“We could the market resuming rally Monday, lifted by shares in banking sector,” Sidani added.

Turnover hit AED 1.16 billion, while volume came in 410.97 million shares.