Mubasher: Moody's Investors Service has changed Qatar's rating outlook to negative, and affirmed their Aa3 rating.

Changing the outlook is attributed to the financial risks arising from the dispute between Qatar and a number of countries, according to a report issued by Moody’s.

Recently, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, and Bahrain simultaneously decided to cut diplomatic ties with Qatar, with similar decisions later announced by Yemen and Libya among other countries.

Moody’s said that the likelihood of a prolonged period of uncertainty extending into 2018 has increased, noting that a quick resolution of dispute is unlikely over next few months.

The ratings agency also said that while Qatar's hydrocarbon exports are not affected at this stage by the dispute, there are reports of disruptions to some non-hydrocarbon exports.