Mubasher: GCC equity markets are expected to give sideways performance with upward movements in spite of global markets' mixed closings and lower oil prices, said analysts.

Traders, foreign ones in particular, are likely to refocus on blue-chip stocks that ended Monday on a higher note as their financial results for the first six months will be disclosed soon, said capital market analysts Ali Al Anzi and Adnan Al Delmi.

"Investors' appetite for buying blue-chip stocks are increasing after positive first quarter financial results that may indicate to a better six-month financials",  Al Delmi told Mubasher.  

However, they may share cautious sentiments today after world markets finished Monday mixed upon speculations about raising the US interest rates, said Nouf Al-Ajmi.

Al-Ajmi expected speculators to keep building position on stocks that stand at attractive purchasing quotes and had already hit the lowest P/E ratios.