Stock markets in the United Arab Emirates closed in the negative territory amid fickle trade in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The Dubai benchmark stock index, DFMGI, lost 1% to 4678.7 points, smacked by blue-chips stocks in real estate and banking sectors.

Shares in heavyweight Arabtec extended decline, falling 3.4% amid confusion about Abaar, while shares in Emaar ticked up 0.41%.

Elsewhere, shares on the Abu Dhabi bourse came also under selling pressure but in a thin trade when compared to Dubai.

ADX, the main benchmark stock index, edged lower 0.21%, erasing early gains to close at 4977.22 points, as retail investors tended to sell.

Turnover hit AED 308 million, through the trade of 97 million shares.