December 16 (Reuters) - Gulf stocks were subdued at the start of trading on Tuesday, following Asian markets in their cautious approach, as investors awaited a slew of U.S. data that could help shape the Federal Reserve's monetary policy path for next year.

The jobs report for October and November is due to be released on Tuesday, and the US inflation report is expected on Thursday.

The Federal Reserve cut interest rates last week and signaled further cuts in 2026. Markets are expecting at least two more cuts next year, underscoring the importance of upcoming economic data.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries usually follow the decisions of the Federal Reserve in their monetary policies because most of the region's currencies are pegged to the dollar.

Qatar's main index fell 0.4 percent, with almost all listed stocks declining. Shares in Qatar Islamic Bank dropped 1 percent, and shares in Qatar Navigation lost 0.7 percent.

Saudi Arabia's main index fell 0.1 percent, with most listed sectors declining, led by healthcare, information technology, and materials. Shares of Dallah Healthcare dropped 1.8 percent, and Saudi Chemical Holding Company shares fell 1.9 percent.

Shares in Saudi Arabian Refineries rose 2.8 percent after the announcement of the establishment of a new subsidiary, and shares in SAL Logistics Services increased 1.4 percent thanks to a cargo handling deal with Syrian Airlines.

Abu Dhabi's main index moved within a narrow range, with gains in the telecommunications, real estate, and financial services sectors offsetting losses in other sectors. Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank shares rose 1 percent, and Two Point Zero Group shares gained 1.1 percent, while Alpha Abu Dhabi Holding shares fell 2 percent, and Abu Dhabi Ports shares declined 0.9 percent.

Abu Dhabi Ports said on Monday that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Kuwait Ports Authority to develop and operate the container terminal at Kuwait’s Shuaiba Port under a concession agreement.

Dubai's main index fell 0.1 percent, weighed down by a 4.1 percent drop in Mashreq Bank shares and a 9.9 percent decline in Gulf Navigation Holding shares.

(Prepared by Noha Zakaria for the Arabic Bulletin - Edited by Marwa Gharib)