The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange gained 0.56% today to close on 2,910, led by the construction industry, which climbed 1.59%. Union Cement was the day’s big gainer, up 9.49% to dhs1.73. Overall, 22 ended higher, eight declined, and eight were unchanged.

The Dubai Financial Market gained 1.08% today to close on 2,093. Global Investment House led all gainers, up 14.96% to Dhs1.46. Market heavyweight Emaar also ended higher, up 0.73% to Dhs4.16. Overall, 22 stocks gained, 2 ended lower, and 5 were unchanged.

The Dubai government said today it raised $5bn by selling bonds to Abu Dhabi government-controlled banks for a support fund in the wake of the financial crisis, Bloomberg has reported. The emirate sold the bonds equally to National Bank of Abu Dhabi and Islamic lender Al Hilal Bank, Dubai’s Department of Finance said. It will draw down $1bn initially with a sale of bonds to NBAD and an Islamic bond, or sukuk, to Al Hilal.

Abu Dhabi-based Aabar Investments has borrowed $1.63bn from a group of local and foreign banks to be used for general corporate purposes, the company said in a statement. The club loan is for a term of six months.

Oman’s economy minister, Ahmed Bin Abdulnabi Macki, said the Sultanate plans to boost government spending by 9% to RO7.18bn ($18.7bn) next year, as it seeks to revive the economy after the global economic crisis, Bloomberg has reported. The ministry is budgeting for a deficit of RO800m, based on an average oil price of $50 a barrel in 2010.

Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul index gained 0.2% today to close on 6,303, led by the agriculture and food industries sector, which gained 1.99%. Red Sea Housing led all stocks, rising 5.98% to 62 riyals. Overall, 54 stocks ended higher while 56 declined.

The Abu Dhabi Securities Index dipped 0.47% today to close on 2,893, led by the energy sector, which fell 2.73%. National Marine Dredging had the day’s biggest gain, up 7.72% to Dhs8.68. Overall, 19 stocks fell, eight rose, and 3 were unchanged.

The Dubai Financial Market fell 1.93% today to close on 2,070. One of the leading decliners was market heavyweight Emaar, which fell 2.82% to Dhs4.3. However, Shuaa Capital had the day’s biggest loss, down 5.59% to Dhs1.69. Overall, seven stocks gained, 18 fell, and 2 were unchanged.

Dubai-based buyout firm Abraaj Capital has announced that it has agreed to buy Jordanian venture-capital firm Riyada Ventures. Riyada’s founder Khaldoon Tabaza will continue as chief executive officer, Abraaj said in a statement today.

The UAE’s Economy Ministry announced today that consumer prices fell 0.4% in October from a year ago, the fourth consecutive month of deflation in the country. The price drop was led by cheaper food and clothing, the ministry said.